Both olive oil and virgin olive oil are made from olives, but the method of processing the oil is different. As a result, they have different colors, flavors and health properties.
There are many types of oils on the market, including vegetable, canola, avocado, peanut and coconut oils. It can be difficult to know which oil is best. Do they really feel the difference? Is one person healthier than the other?
This article discusses the differences between extra virgin olive oil and olive oil.
Is olive oil healthy?
The use of different oils is different. Olive oil has a great flavor which makes it great as an addition to salads or raw bread and is relatively heat resistant when cooking. However, it has been debated whether olive oil is really healthy and there is no consensus on the best type.
The main fat in olive oil, which is mainly composed of oleic acid, is monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), which according to health experts are healthy fats.
Saturated fats and trans fats, on the other hand, are unhealthy fats. Studies have linked unhealthy fat consumption to a number of health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and obesity.
Replacing saturated and trans fats with MUFAs can reduce the risk of heart disease. These fats increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol, while low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol, decreases in the bloodstream.
Olive oil is an ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, which research shows has many health benefits, including the heart, eyes, and brain.
Olive oil Vs. extra virgin olive oil
Most of the precursors that preceded olive oil, such as “virgin” or “extra virgin”, refer to the process used by producers to produce the oil. Extra virgin olive oil has undergone minimal processing.
When a manufacturer processes oil, it refines it with chemicals and then heats it up. This process extends the shelf life, which is great for the food industry, but it can waste a lot of the taste of the oil and some of its benefits.
According to a Reliable Research Source, extra virgin olive oil contains more polyphenols than regular olive oil. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant and have many health benefits. Refined olive oil removes polyphenols, vitamins, and other natural ingredients.
Many people find that extra virgin olive oil tastes better than olive oil, which is more processed. Unprocessed fresh unprocessed extra virgin olive oil should taste:
- A bit fruity
- Slightly bitter, like biting into an olive
- Slightly spicy
If the oil has a metallic, dull or moldy taste, it may be due to over-processing or the oil has gone bad.
Many people choose cold pressed, unrefined or rock pressed products when choosing the extra virgin olive oil to buy. With this option, the oil is not heated or refined, which usually adds a substance to the oil.
Benefits of extra virgin olive oil
People may prefer to use extra virgin olive oil over regular olive oil because:
- That less processing has taken place
- They think it’s more fun
- There is less content
- It is richer in antioxidants, vitamins and other natural ingredients