Is Olive Oil a Seed Oil?
With time, health-conscious people and fitness freaks are becoming more concerned about which oil to include in their diets. One of the most repetitive questions that usually clutters individuals' minds is: "Is olive oil a seed oil?"
The answer is quite simple: No, olive oil is considered a vegetable oil (not derived from the seed of olive fruits). All seed oils can be used as vegetable oils, but vegetable oils can never be considered seed oils. To understand the fascinating nature of olive oil, let us dive deeper into this blog.
What is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea). People have been using it for centuries for various purposes. Its usage was more common in the Mediterranean, but now people from all over the world like it for its mild, fresh, fruity smell and unique taste.
The Special Nature of Fruity Olive Oil
Here's a fun fact about olive oil: it is not extracted from seeds like other common cooking oils, like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil. It is taken from the olive fruit itself. This oil extraction sets the bar higher than other seed or cooking oils.
Extra virgin olive oil undergoes a traditional extraction process, distinct from the industrial production of seed oils. While seed oils are manufactured through extensive processing that involves high heat and chemical solvents, organic olive oil is manufactured from the juice of fresh-pressed olive fruit. This natural and traditional process of olive oil extraction connects us to the origin of olives, enhancing our appreciation for olive oil's unique taste and qualities.
Olive Oil vs. Seed Oil: Which One is Better?
Seed and olive oils are manufactured using different methods, significantly impacting overall health.
Olive Oil
Here’s everything you need to know about olive oil:
Oil from a Fruit
Olive oil is squeezed from juicy green and black olives. Extra virgin olive oil is obtained by grinding the olives. The best part is that no chemicals or high temperatures are used in this oil extraction. This keeps the oil tasty, keeps the fragrance pure and lovely, and provides full health benefits to the consumers.
Health Benefits
Olive oil is rich in 'good fat', monounsaturated fat (MUFA). It is beneficial for heart health as it lowers bad cholesterol. Additionally, it contains antioxidants that protect the body from various diseases. These health benefits reassure us that choosing olive oil is a wise dietary decision.
Power to Handle Heat
Extra virgin olive oil usually handles medium heat while frying an egg or roasting vegetables. However, regular olive oil can take a bit more heat. The good fats in olive oil help it stay okay at these temperatures.
Use it For Various Dishes
The finest olive oil is versatile for salad dressings, bread dipping, and drizzling over food after cooking. Its earthy aroma and pleasant taste inspire us to experiment with our culinary skills, adding a unique touch to our dishes.
Harmless to Cultivate
Growing olive trees is always easy if farmers do not use too many harmful chemicals. Olive trees can live for many decades and help purify the air quality, provide shade to travellers, give shade to birds, and most importantly, benefit us with these delicious olive fruits. Extracting olive oil using the traditional method doesn't produce a lot of waste.
Seed Oil
Here’s everything you need to know about seed oil:
Made in a Factory
Seed oils like canola oil, corn oil, soybean oil, and sunflower oil are manufactured from the tiny seeds of plants. Getting oil from these seeds is a vast process usually done in factories. The plant seeds are generally heated and infused with strong chemicals to extract the oil. After that, the oil gets processed again to clean the crude oil. The cleaning method can remove some of the good nutrients that were present in the seeds.
Have Lower Health Benefits
Seeds often contain a high amount of polyunsaturated fats, especially omega-6. We need a small quantity of omega-6, but many people overeat it, which might not be suitable for us. Cleaning seed oils can also remove some of the good stuff in the seeds.
Heat Stability and Frying Considerations
Some seed oils can handle high heat, which is suitable for frying. But because of their fat type, they might not be as stable when heated for a long time, especially if they're not properly processed.
Minimum Taste or Tasteless
Most seed oils don't taste much or have lost their true essence during extraction.
Chemical Footprint on Earth
Growing many plants for seed oils often means big farms that can hurt the soil and use many chemicals. The factories that make seed oils use a lot of energy and can create waste.
8 Best Health Benefits of Using Olive Oil
There are several health benefits of including olive oil in your daily routine. Many studies have well-documented these health benefits. Here are eight of them listed below:
Good for Your Heart Health
Olive oil, especially the extra virgin, is completely packed with healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats help keep your "bad" cholesterol levels down, which is a big deal for a healthy heart. It's like choosing the right fuel for a car to keep the engine running smoothly.
Packed with Natural Antioxidants
Antioxidants are always good for your health. Olive oil has a good quantity of antioxidants, which are called polyphenols. It protects your body by neutralizing unstable molecules called free radicals, which can damage cells and lead to numerous health issues. These antioxidants fight off damage to your cells. Consider them as a natural shield against everyday wear and tear.
Helps Calm Down Internal Swelling
Sometimes, our bodies can become inflamed, and that's not great when it’s happening for a long time. Olive oil can help reduce internal swelling or inflammation. It's like a natural way to soothe things inside your body.
Might Lower Stroke Risk
Some studies show that individuals who use olive oil regularly have a lower chance of having a stroke, which is a serious problem with blood flow to the brain. So, olive oil also aids in clearing out the pathways of the brain.
Better Blood Sugar Control
Olive oil can also help balance blood sugar levels more effectively, which is essential for preventing type 2 diabetes. So, if you are experiencing high sugar levels, try incorporating olive oil into your routine to get them under control.
Suitable for Your Brain Health
The healthy fats in olive oil from The Spice Trader can keep your brain sharp and always working. The protective antioxidants can also help keep your brain cells healthy as you step into your old age.
May Protect from Cancer
Some early research shows that certain elements in olive oil might help fight cancer cells by stopping the bad cells from growing. So basically, there's a natural cancer defence system in olive oil. However, scientists are still actively doing more research on it.
Happy Gut Feelings
Olive oil keeps your gut healthy and is linked to overall improvement in digestion. It also helps strengthen your immune system.
Conclusion
Olive oil is a superfood and a rich blend of nutrients, as it's extracted by squeezing it directly from olives. It differs from other common cooking oils, like canola or sunflower oil, which are made by extracting the oil from tiny seeds through long factory manufacturing. Olive oil comes from a fruit and is produced naturally. It has its unique healthy fats, good protectors called antioxidants, and a distinct taste that sets it apart from regular seed oils.