Home cooks have sometimes been warned not to use olive oil to fry foods for fear that heat would cause the oil to break down.
In an experiment to find out if this is true, food scientists fried raw potato pieces in four different oils: corn, olive, soybean, and sunflower. Each oil was used both for pan frying and deep frying and was reused 10 times. Then chemical analyses were conducted on the oils.
Oil Comparison
The results showed that olive oil underwent less degradation and maintained more of its nutritional properties than the others. Sunflower seed oil deteriorated most quickly when heated to a temperature of 356 degrees Fahrenheit, used for pan frying.
Those who prefer the flavor of olive oil in their food no longer need worry that they are sacrificing health for good taste.
[Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Sept. 29, 2014]
Mediterranean Diet Benefits
Olive oil may be an important part of the Mediterranean diet and its multiple benefits for health, as we have discussed elsewhere. Fresh olive oil contains a lot of phenolic compounds that, like those in wine, tea or chocolate, seem to contribute to better blood pressure, lower blood sugar and a reduced risk of certain cancers. Of course, the vegetables, spices and herbs found in most Mediterranean-style diets also contain similar plant components that may act synergistically.
If you would like to learn more about how to follow a Mediterranean diet, you may be interested in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.
