Coconut oil is high in saturated fats and should be used in small quantities.
Each throw in of oil also has various forms that affect its smoke point, flavor, and aroma.
Main Health Benefits
Plant-based oils have many health benefits, especially when compared to animal-based oils.
Jacob Wackerhausen / Getty Images
Olive oil is the primary oil and fat used in theMediterranean diet.
This diet focuses on eating unprocessed,whole foodslike fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
This style of diet can prevent several health conditions including heart disease and stroke.
Potential Downsides
Coconut oil does not offer the same health properties as olive oil.
It contains only a trace amount of vitamins and minerals and nofiber.
While olive oil may not be a perfect food, it has less downsides.
The coconut or olive oil is made by crushing the fruit into a coarse meal.
This unrefined process tends to make the oil purer and have better flavor.
To determine if an oil isextra virginor virgin olive oil will depend on the IOC.
Olive oil that has minimal defects and a free acidity level between 0.8 and 2.0 is considered virgin.
Refined Oils
Refined coconut oil is made from dried coconuts.
The oil is heated and filtered using chemicals.
Refined olive oil is also heated to high temperatures, which reduces its nutrition, smell, and flavor.
When cooking, refined oils have a higher smoke point, making them a good choice for high-heat cooking.
Other Types
Coconut and olive oil can be sold as a mix of refined and unrefined oil.
This method allows the benefits of unrefined and refined oil to be combined in one container.
These oils should have a high smoke point, more flavor, and aroma than virgin oils.
Coconut oil does not offer the same health properties as olive oil.
It contains only a trace amount of vitamins and minerals and no fiber.
While olive oil may not be a perfect food, it has less downsides.
The primary concern with olive oil is still a fat and needs to be consumed in moderation.
Cooking-Related Considerations
Olive oil and coconut oil are both good cooking oils.
Therefore, they can be good for adding as a finishing oil at the end of cooking.
Summary
Olive oil and coconut oil are two popular cooking oils used in the kitchen.
Recently, coconut oil has gained popularity as a healthy oil.
However, coconut oil is less healthy than olive oil.
UC Davis Health.Olive oil health benefits and why you should add it to your diet.
Harvard School of Public Health.Coconut oil.
2020;141(10):803-814. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.119.043052
Encyclopedia Britannica.Oil extraction.
International Olive Council.IOC standards, methods and guidelines.
2020;57(12):4716-4725. doi:10.1007/s13197-020-04655-4
Colorado State University.Cooking with fats and oils.
