Coconut, avocado and olive oil are becoming famous as concerns about the negative effects of using animal fats and vegetable oils are circulating. This makes celebrity chefs and a number of folks switch to some healthier oil alternatives.
Top 3 Healthy Cooking Oil For Your Health
Coconut Oil
Found in this oil is a medium-length long-chain fatty acid or lipid that is called lauric acid. It makes up about half of the fatty acids within coconut oil. Lauric acid has antimicrobial properties that are able to fight viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and other pathogens that make their way into your food. Some studies also found that it can combat oxidative stress in your body, particularly those that result from drinking too much alcohol. Since lauric acid can’t be ingested alone, you are likely to get it from fresh coconuts or in the form of oil.
This type of oil is recommended for those who have hypothyroidism or at risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Moreover, other benefits you can enjoy from using virgin coconut oil are as follows:
- Give you instant energy
- Keep Your Skin Youthful, Smooth & Healthy Looking
- Support your immune system
- Promotes heart health
- Helps in dermatitis and infections
- Helps in healing wounds:
- Helps get rid of stretch marks:
- Helps your digestive system
- Protect Your Body from Disease
Avocado Oil
Avocado fruits contain heart-healthy fats that contain the goodness of monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid oleic acid. It helps cut the inflammatory response in the body, thereby lowering the risk of metabolic syndrome. It is also rich in lutein which helps improve eye health and reduce risks of age-related macular degeneration8 and cataract.
Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid that makes it highly resistant to oxidation. This means that it will not completely go rancid in your cupboard. It can also be used in high heat cooking because it has a high smoke –point (the temperature in which oil begins to degrade under heat).
You can obtain the following health benefits of using avocado oil:
- Lowers Cholesterol
- Lowers Blood Pressure
- Helps Treat Periodontal Disease:
- Helps Fight and Prevent Cancer
- Fights Wrinkles
- Treats Skin Damage and Irritations
- Stimulates Weight Loss
- Detoxifies Your Body
Olive Oil
According to the American Heart Association, in order for you to cut the risk of heart disease and stroke, you should cut down on saturated fat intake, including in the cooking oils you consume. As compared to other vegetable oil, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has the lowest oxidation rate which means it doesn’t result in the kind of free radical damage. EVOO is extracted from the olive fruit without the use of any heat or chemicals and is the highest quality of olive oil available.
Furthermore, olive oil is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and even K which all benefit different parts of your body. Also, its omega-3 fatty acid content shields you against inflammatory condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cancer.
Some other benefits you can obtain from EVOO are the following:
- May help lower your risk of type 2 diabetes
- May improve bone health
- May protect against certain cancers
- May be good for brain health
- Contribute to health and longevity
Using Them Right
Oils must be stored carefully. Store them in a dry place, most especially if you are going to use them slowly for a long period of time. Do not expose them in bright lights or direct sunlight because it can cause them to oxidize, thus, developing free radicals that are potentially harmful.
Put in mind that you could miss out the benefits of these oils if you use them wrong.
Since coconut oil has a low smoking point compared to EVOO and avocado oil, it is best used for low temperatures, such as sauteing or baking but some also use them for deep frying.
EVOO works like a charm for roasting, steaming, and baking.
The use of avocado oil for sauteing vegetables can enhance the taste of the meal.
If you’re grilling or roasting food at a high temperature, avocado oil is better than olive oil because it has a higher smoking point.
Note: Not all olives used in making olive oils are organic. Make sure to pick the organic one when purchasing such oils. Read the article “The Olive Oil Scam: If 80% Is Fake, Why Do You Keep Buying It?” for more information.
