Olive oil is a popular healthy cooking oil. It is used for frying, brushing, in salad dressings, etc. whenever we think of a healthy oil, the first thing that comes to our mind is olive oil. However, there are a lot of other oils out there in the market that are equal or healthier that olive oil; avocado oil being one of them. Avocado oil is not used as widely as olive oil hence, is not well-known as a cooking oil. Here is a comparison between these 2 oils:
CHOLESTEROL (AVOCADO OIL=OLIVE OIL)
Cholesterol is a big concern these days and people are looking out for more and more ingredients that do not contain cholesterol or the ones that melt away cholesterol. Olive oil is a well known healthy oil that has no cholesterol but avocado oil too is equally good. Avocado oil and olive oil both do not contain any cholesterol. Both contain monosaturated fatty acids that can reduce both total cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol levels.
TASTE (AVOCADO OIL>OLIVE OIL)
Avocado oil is superior to olive oil in terms of taste. Olive oil does not really have any taste and does not impart any distinct flavour to the dishes you use it in. Avocado oil, on the other hand, has a distinctive buttery flavour which it imparts to your food. It’s much nicer than olive oil for cooking eggs and other dishes where you really notice the flavour of the oil used.
PHYTOSTEROL (AVOCADO OIL>OLIVE OIL)
Avocado oil contains betasitosterol in high concentrations which is a phytosterol. Basically, phytosterols are beneficial compounds that help reduce cholesterol absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. The betasitosterol is beneficial for prostate problems and hair loss issues especially in men. Olive oil too contains betasitosterol but avocado oil contains twice its amount.
ANTIOXIDANTS (AVOCADO OIL>OLIVE OIL)
Vitamin E is one of the most well-known antioxidants. It protects the skin from environmental stress and free radicals in the surroundings that keep you from forming wrinkles early. Avocado oil is rich in vitamin E antioxidant that keeps you looking young and bright. Olive oil, on the other hand, contains negligible amounts of antioxidants.
SKIN BENEFITS (AVOCODO OIL>OLIVE OIL)
Olive oil is well hyped for its skin benefits, and it surely is true. Avocado oil on the other hand has more skin benefits than olive oil. Avocado oil penetrates deeper into the skin and transports the protein better than olive oil. Avocado oil also has better moisturizing properties which keeps skin soft and supple for longer.
PROTEINS (AVOCADO OIL>OLIVE OIL)
Proteins are essential for the body as they are the building blocks. Both olive oil and avocado oil contain proteins but avocado oil comparatively contains higher amounts. In fact, there are some essential proteins that are present in avocado but not in olive oil!
CONCLUSION:
Olive oil no doubt is a healthy oil but avocado oil is equal or better than olive oil. All in all, olive oil is still very good for you, no doubt. It’s just that in many ways, the less well-known avocado oil is even better than olive oil for healthy cooking.