Which is Better: Olive Oil or Palm Oil?
A lot of discussions lately about which oil is better for your health: olive oil or palm oil. There is a lot of research about olive oil and palm oil for their effects on health. You may not find palm oil in a bottle at your grocery store like olive oil, but you are consuming palm oil because it is included in many products. Palm Oil is found not only in pre-processed products such as chocolate, cakes, biscuits but also in many products such as soap, skin lotion, lipstick, baby food, and diapers. This article will take a closer look at the two types of oils: extra virgin olive oils and palm oils, their effects on the body, environmental effects, and recommended use.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil vs. Palm Oil Effects On Health
Although olive oil and palm oil do not differ from each other in terms of calories, they have big differences in terms of components. Olive oil contains 650% more Vitamin K, 5500% Iron, 653% Phosphorus, and 653% Zinc than palm oil. Olive oil is also contained other nutritional components such as polyphenol and antioxidants.
Olive oil is known to have many health benefits due to the polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can protect against cell damage and reduce inflammation. It may also help improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease. The type of fat in olive oil may also help to reduce bad cholesterol levels in the blood. According to conducted research, the antioxidants contained in olive oil also have an anticarcinogenic effect. Monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil are also known to prevent tumour formation. In addition, thanks to the Oleuropein molecule in olive oil, it is seen that the risk of cancer. For this reason, olive oil is determined that the rate of colon and breast cancer in Mediterranean countries such as Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Spain, where olive oil consumption is high, is at a lower level compared to other European countries.
Palm oil contains approximately 50% saturated fats, 40% unsaturated fat, and 10% polyunsaturated fats. Saturated fats increase the occurrence of heart diseases, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases, as they are one of the unhealthy types of fat that can raise bad LDL cholesterol. Palm oil may also contain harmful compounds that can increase the risk of cancer It was revealed that palm oil increased the metastasis of cancer cells and cancer grew much faster.
Environmental Impact: Olive oil vs. Palm Oil
The palm oil industry is a major driver of deforestation in tropical countries, which has led to the loss of habitat for many endangered species. Palm oil production also results in air and water pollution. In addition, the use of child labour is common in palm oil production.
Olive oil production does not have the same negative environmental impacts as palm oil production. Tropical regions are regions with abundant rainfall, and tree roots are also important because they both absorb excess water and hold firmly to the soil. Cutting trees and planting new palm trees for palm oil production cause soil erosion.
Smoke Points
Olive oil, like other oil, has a higher smoke point. Palm oil has a smoke point of 450°F, while extra virgin olive oil has a smoke point of 410°F. For this reason, using olive oil while cooking does not spoil the naturalness. Extra virgin olive oil has specific antioxidants: polyphenols, tocopherols, and sterols that are helping to increase smoke point up to 480°F. You can use Opus Black, which is extra virgin olive oil, while deep frying with peace of mind.
Recommended Use
Extra Virgin olive oil is a healthy fat that can be used in cooking, baking, or as a dressing for salads and other dishes. Palm oil should be avoided due to its high saturated fat content and potential health risks. Overall, extra virgin olive oil is the better choice due to its health benefits and lower environmental impact.
You should try the healthy, high-quality extra virgin olive oil Opus Black. Also, if you are looking for more products made with extra virgin olive oil, do not forget to look at our varieties, such as Opus Bar is a soap that includes olive oil. When olive oil soap is used, it sends all vitamins and minerals to the skin and the skin becomes healthier. If you are looking for a vegan tagliatelle check out Opus Tagliatelle.
