Current:Home > NewsIs avocado oil good for you? Everything you need to know about this trendy oil.-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Is avocado oil good for you? Everything you need to know about this trendy oil.
View Date:2024-12-23 19:35:20
Diet trends come and go, but they generally share overarching themes – like limiting your calories, sugar, carbohydrates and fats. The latter, however, can sometimes be tricky. It may seem counterintuitive, but fats are essential for our health.
The American Heart Association says fats can give your body energy, support cell function, protect your organs, keep your body warm, absorb nutrients and produce hormones.
But not all fats are equal. You want to fuel your body with the “good” kind of fats – monosaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, and you want to avoid the “bad” kind of fats – trans fats and saturated fats.
The most common sources of “good” fats are olive oil and vegetable oil. But there’s another one that you may not have thought of – avocado oil.
Is avocado oil good for you?
Yes! Kat Benson, a registered dietitian with Top Nutrition Coaching, says that avocado oil is rich in an unsaturated fatty acid called oleic acid, which has a variety of health benefits like heart health support, reduced inflammation and more.
“Avocado oil is also rich in antioxidants, which help reduce oxidative damage in our bodies and can help support things like wound healing, brain health and reduced disease risk,” she explains. “Similar to avocados, avocado oil can also help increase absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, making it even more beneficial to sauté vegetables with,” she adds.
Are avocados good for you?They may be worth the up-charge.
Is avocado oil better than olive oil?
Nutritionally speaking, the two are relatively comparable. Benson explains, “Similar to olive oil, avocado oil is also high in the unsaturated fatty acid called oleic acid, which provides a variety of health benefits.”
However, avocado oil may have an edge in a unique way. Benson says, “Another benefit of avocado oil is the higher smoke point when compared to olive oil. The smoke point refers to when an oil begins to smoke when heated and can also indicate when the health benefits are not only removed but also when harmful compounds can become present. The high smoke point of avocado oil makes it a good choice for high-heat cooking methods like grilling, sautéing, and roasting.”
Is there a downside to avocado oil?
Avocado oil is fairly new, which means some things haven’t been worked through yet. Benson explains, “Avocado oil is relatively new on the scene, and the Food and Drug Administration has not yet adopted 'standards of identity,' leaving some avocado oil bottles to be mixed with lower-quality oils.”
However, Benson has a few tips to help you pick a quality avocado oil:
- Choose extra virgin: “Extra virgin avocado oil is the least processed form and should retain the most nutrients,” she says.
- Check the color: “Extra virgin avocado oil should have a vibrant green color. A lighter, more yellowish color may indicate that the oil has been mixed with cheaper oils. However, color alone is not a foolproof indicator of quality,” Benson warns.
- Look at the packaging: “Look for oil in dark glass bottles or tins that protect against light, which can degrade the oil,” she advises.
- Check the expiration date: “Because avocado oil can go rancid, it's important to check the expiration date and buy the freshest oil possible. Once opened, try to use the oil within six months,” she alerts.
- Taste and smell matter: Benson explains, “Pure, high-quality avocado oil should have a grassy, buttery flavor and should not taste or smell rancid.”
Benson urges one final message, “As with any food, it's best to consume avocado oil as part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients. If you have specific dietary concerns, it's always a good idea to speak with a registered dietitian.”
What is the healthiest oil to cook with?Most have some benefits but these two might be best.
veryGood! (92)
Related
- Justine Bateman feels like she can breathe again in 'new era' after Trump win
- Cole Hocker shocks the world to win gold in men's 1,500
- All the 2024 Olympic Controversies Shadowing the Competition in Paris
- Climate Advocates Rally Behind Walz as Harris’ VP Pick
- Manhattan rooftop fire sends plumes of dark smoke into skyline
- Cole Hocker shocks the world to win gold in men's 1,500
- Finally, US figure skaters will get Beijing Olympic gold medals — under Eiffel Tower
- Global stock volatility hits the presidential election, with Trump decrying a ‘Kamala Crash’
- Why Amanda Seyfried Traded Living in Hollywood for Life on a Farm in Upstate New York
- Last Chance Summer Sale: Save Up to 73% at Pottery Barn, 72% at Pottery Barn Teen, and 69% at West Elm
Ranking
- DWTS' Sasha Farber Claps Back at Diss From Jenn Tran's Ex Devin Strader
- Dozens of sea lions in California sick with domoic acid poisoning: Are humans at risk?
- Ryan Reynolds Hilariously Confronts Blake Lively's Costar Brandon Sklenar Over Suggestive Photo
- Tropical Storm Debby swirls over Atlantic, expected to again douse the Carolinas before moving north
- Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
- How to prepare for a leadership role to replace a retiring employee: Ask HR
- New York City’s freewheeling era of outdoor dining has come to end
- Stephen Curry talks getting scored on in new 'Mr. Throwback' show
Recommendation
-
The Bachelorette's Desiree Hartsock Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby No. 3 With Chris Siegfried
-
USWNT's win vs. Germany at Olympics shows 'heart and head' turnaround over the last year
-
Olympic medals today: What is the medal count at 2024 Paris Games on Wednesday?
-
Ryan Reynolds Hilariously Confronts Blake Lively's Costar Brandon Sklenar Over Suggestive Photo
-
Michelle Obama Is Diving Back into the Dating World—But It’s Not What You Think
-
Florida man charged after lassoing 9-foot alligator: 'I was just trying to help'
-
Data shows Rio Grande water shortage is not just due to Mexico’s lack of water deliveries
-
USWNT's win vs. Germany at Olympics shows 'heart and head' turnaround over the last year