Olive Oil or Coconut Oil – The Healthier Choice

Olive oil or Coconut oil? We all know that cooking with the right kind of oil is vital to stay fit and healthy and becomes really important when you are trying to lose weight.

There are various kinds of cooking oils in the market and choosing the right kind therefore becomes very difficult. It is important to choose the right kind of cooking oil so as to maximize the health benefits. The two cooking oils that top the charts are olive and coconut oil. Now which one should you choose?

 Virgin Coconut OilExtra-Virgin Olive Oil
Calories120120
Total Fat14 grams14 grams
Saturated Fatty Acids13 grams2 grams
Saturated fatty acids1 gram10 grams
Polyunsaturated fatty acids0 gram1.5 grams
Cholesterol00

 

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Unsaturated Fats: Olive oil contains significant amount of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats both of which are known as heart friendly fats (healthy fats). Monounsaturated fats help lower your cholesterol levels.

Smoking point: olive oil has a smoking point of 280 degrees Fahrenheit and should be used for cooking at lower temperatures.

Antioxidants: Olive oil has a significant source of antioxidants and Is loaded with bioavailable phenolic compounds which have been shown to decrease the oxidative damages to DNA, reduce cholesterol as well as lower high blood pressure.

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

Saturated Fats: Saturated fats in coconut oil are mostly in the form of molecules called medium-chain-triglycerides (MCTs). Over the years saturated fat has attained a rather bad reputation and has been linked to heart disease.

Smoking Point: Coconut oil has a relatively higher smoking point than olive oil. Coconut oil can be heated up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit which makes it preferable for cooking at moderately higher temperatures.

Antioxidants: Coconut oil contains some amounts of antioxidants however these are not as effective when compared to the antioxidants present in olive oil.

Olive Oil or Coconut Oil. Which one is healthier?

Studies have suggested that olive oil is a healthy alternative to coconut oil and there are various reasons for this.

Firstly, the Mediterranean diet which is also known as the healthiest diet around the globe has olive oil in it. Those that follow the Mediterranean diet are at a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes types of cancers and are most likely to be having a healthy weight.

Secondly, olive oil contains more good fats such as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats as compared to coconut oil. Coconut oil contains a higher amount of saturated fat which is also known as bad fats and doctors advise you consume this in moderate amounts Is this is known to increase your chances of heart disease.

Actually, both coconut and olive oils can be used for cooking depending on the kind of food that it is being prepared. Coconut oils can be used for deep frying while olive oils can be used for salads and seasoning your meals.

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