Start using EVOO and pomace olive oil for cooking for a healthier you.

Olive oil is a superb edible oil which has numerous benefits for the entire body. Manifesting ancient wisdom, this oil has been a part of the intrinsic diet of the Mediterranean region for centuries and has also been used for many medicinal purposes. These benefits are also proven by years of research in modern times, with studies showing considerable improvement in the overall health of humans who consume it daily. From the heart to the brain and hormones to skin and hair, every part of your being is positively affected by the consistent use of olive oil in India. This indeed makes EVOO and pomace olive oil one of the healthiest edible oils known to man.

Let us learn what makes olive oil so beneficial and how you can use it in your daily diet.

Virgin and Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is a Mediterranean staple which has been obtained from olive fruits by extracting the oil from them. Olive oil is traditionally obtained by mechanically pressing olives which releases olive oil. This is the cold pressing method that doesn’t utilise heat or any chemical solvent for the extraction process. The oil obtained through this first pressing of olives is called extra virgin or virgin olive oil and is considered to be of the highest grade or quality. You can find multiple brands of virgin olive oil, India offers in the market but you must be vary of the quality of the product while choosing it. You must only buy authentic virgin oil from reputed name brands such as Leonardo Olive Oil to stay safe. Virgin oils are slightly greenish gold in colour, have a strong flavour and aroma, and are a bit bitter. They cannot be used for cooking as they are very heat sensitive and have a low smoking point, which means they can easily burn. Therefore, you can use these oils for drizzling over different dishes, as dips or for very light sauteeing etc only.

Pomace Olive Oil

Once this virgin oil is obtained, you are left with the olive flesh which is still rich in its oil content. But to extract this oil chemical extraction method is needed. Hence, with the help of a chemical solvent called hexane, more olive oil is extracted from the leftover olive flesh. The oil thus obtained is called pomace olive oil. This olive oil is tasteless and odourless and has a very light greenish-gold colour. Although considered to be of lower quality as compared to its EVOO and virgin counterparts, it is still highly nutritive. It not only consists of all the nutrients and health benefits of virgin olive oils but can also be used for cooking purposes which are not possible in the latter. You can use pomace olive oil for cooking because it has a high smoking point which means it doesn’t burn easily at high temperatures. Therefore you can use it for various cooking methods such as sauteing, shallow frying, deep frying and baking too. And since pomace oil doesn’t have a taste or flavour of its own it can also be used in various Indian recipes as it cannot change the taste or feel of the dish.

Benefits of Using Pomace Olive Oil for Cooking

As pomace oil consists of squalene and β-sitosterol, it doesn’t lose its nutritional components or change its composition when heated. This makes it ideal for cooking, as it is packed with bioactive components which greatly help to improve your health in the following ways.

It is packed with nutrients

Pomace and virgin olive oil India are filled with so many nutrients like Vitamin E, D and K, anti-inflammatory components like Omega-3 fatty acids, powerful antioxidants like oleic acid, antibacterial nutrients and so much more.

It is a low-fat cooking oil

As pomace oil is composed of healthy monounsaturated fats, it is a great option for cooking oil which doesn’t clog arteries and helps to keep you light and healthy. From low fat breakfast to light dinners you can use it to prepare any meal of the day and indulge in, guilt-free. Even when you may use it for frying pakoras or baking cakes, pomace oil doesn’t harm your body the way other high-fat vegetable cooking oils do as they are composed mainly of saturated fats. This is why they are the best choice for people who are on a low-fat diet or want to shed some kilos.

Benefits the whole body, especially the heart

As olive oil has 70% monounsaturated fats, it doesn’t clog your arteries and prevents many heart-related diseases. It maintains the vitality of your cardiovascular system by preventing blood clots, reducing inflammation and preventing the oxidation of LDL or bad cholesterol. In addition to your heart, your brain and nervous system also benefit from it as olive oil is known to prevent neurodegenerative diseases, prevent stroke and help to keep your memory sharp. Other parts of your body such as your gut and hormonal system benefit from it too hence choosing the right pomace oil like Leonardo olive oil can greatly help you to improve your body’s health.

Prevents many diseases

Studies have shown olive oil to prevent or reduce the onset of many diseases such as:

• CHF- As it contains good cholesterol and prevents clot formation, pomace olive oil can prevent high blood pressure and atherosclerosis which can lead to congestive heart failure.
• Stroke- Since it checks the formation of independent clots in the bloodstream and has anti-inflammatory properties, olive oil can prevent strokes.
• Alzheimer’s disease- Olive oil has certain nutritional properties. can prevent damage or degeneration of nerves that can lead to such diseases of the central nervous system.
• Type 2 Diabetes- As olive oil has beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity and blood glucose levels, it can reduce the risk of developing Type-2 Diabetes
• Obesity- Olive oil is not associated with weight gain and has a positive effect on fat reduction as unlike other cooking oils, it is composed primarily of good fats.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis- It is an autoimmune disease which is characterised by painful joints. Olive oil can improve the inflammatory markers and decrease oxidative stress which can prevent RA.
• Cancers- Since olive oil helps to reduce the ill effects of free radicals in the body, you can prevent many different types of cancers by using pomace olive oil for cooking.

Makes food tastier and healthier

Apart from helping you prepare healthier and low fat breakfasts, lunches and dinners, olive oil can also make your meals much tastier. This is because of its distinct flavour which though subtle in pomace oil as compared to virgin oils, helps to indirectly enhance the flavour of your food, while also making it lighter.

Final Word

With so many misconceptions surrounding olive oils in India, it can be hard to choose the perfect oil for your family. But now that you know how pomace oil is as nutritious as EVOO and can also be used for cooking, it is time to switch to olive oil and take the health route without compromising on taste.