Grapeseed Oil Vs Olive Oil: Which One Should You Choose?
As researchers learn more about the effects of diet on heart health, debates continue over which type of oil to use in cooking. Olive oil consistently tops the list of best oils to use because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties as well its potential for lowering LDL, or "bad", cholesterol (via Harvard Medical School). Recently, health experts have been recommending grapeseed oil as another healthy alternative to olive oil. However, not everyone agrees on its benefits.
It may be higher in fat, but the type of fat in olive oil is what's really important. Very high levels of monounsaturated fats are found in avocados and olives. These fats have been shown to not only lower LDL, but they can actually raise your HDL, or "healthy" cholesterol levels (via Livestrong). These heart-healthy fats are an important part of your diet, and they also contribute the antioxidant vitamin E, which many Americans don't get enough of (via American Heart Association).
What is linoleic acid?
Grapeseed oil is seen as an attractive option for those who want an oil that's high in polyunsaturated fats, but has a more neutral taste than olive oil. Scientists also tout the fact that grapeseed oil contains linoleic acid, which has omega-6 fatty acids. Studies have shown that people with higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood have less inflammation, less body fat, and are less prone to heart disease (via Netdoctor).
Unfortunately, there's just not a lot of evidence yet that grapeseed oil actually benefits human health. Plenty of studies have been done to look at its properties, but most of the positive effects that scientists have seen have been in animals or in the laboratory. The studies that have been done on humans have only looked at a very small number of people so it's hard to say for sure if the results apply to all humans. As more research is done on the effects of grapeseed oil on humans, we'll have a better idea of whether to reach for it or stick with tried and true olive oil.