Is pomace olive oil healthy?
Pomace olive oil is generally a cheaper type of olive oil. The fact that this olive oil is good for your wallet is a nice bonus. But is it also good for your health? In other words: is pomace olive oil healthy?
Olive oil and health
A quick refresher: there are 4 different types of olive oil suitable for consumption. To make it more complex, these types can also be further divided into different categories. The best olive oil is organic extra virgin olive oil. This oil is cold-pressed in the authentic way immediately after harvest. It retains the most healthy nutrients, such as vitamins C and E, polyphenols, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats.
Next, with each type of olive oil that ranks ‘lower’ on the ladder, the quality decreases. This includes extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, regular olive oil, and finally, pomace olive oil. The reason why pomace olive oil is of lower quality has to do with the production process. After pressing our (organic) extra virgin olive oil, fresh pulp remains. Our pomace olive oil is made from this pulp in a natural way.
We heat the pulp to 60 degrees Celsius. This results in raw pomace olive oil, which we filter and steam without chemical processes. To give this olive oil more flavour and healthy nutrients, we add 10% organic extra virgin Gkazas Olive Oil. A 100% pure and natural product, where nothing of the original olive is lost! So, now you know what pomace olive oil is and how it is made. But is pomace olive oil healthy?
Is pomace olive oil healthy?
Most of the nutrients are in the original olive. The leftover olive pulp contains fewer flavours and healthy nutrients. However, not everything is lost, and pomace olive oil still contains healthy nutrients. So, is pomace olive oil healthy? This extensive article from Olive Oil Times references a lot of scientific research to answer that question.
For example, research is cited showing that pomace olive oil still retains a lot of healthy, unsaturated fats (around 75% on average). One study demonstrates that this improved cardiometabolic risk and lowered “bad cholesterol.”
They also point out that pomace olive oil retains some polyphenols. Yes, in smaller amounts than extra virgin olive oil, but still a healthy alternative compared to other edible oils. For instance, one study concludes that pomace olive oil is a superior ingredient in bakery products. Another study concludes that pomace olive oil is a healthier alternative for frying compared to sunflower oil.
An important note is that pomace olive oil should be produced in the most natural and beautiful way. You can also produce pomace olive oil in a more “efficient” way. To refine raw pomace olive oil, hexane can be used. This is done with many cheaper pomace olive oils. Hexane is a chemical substance that is not suitable for consumption. We are not fans of that, which is why we do it the natural way!
A good, affordable option!
So, is pomace olive oil healthy? Absolutely! Okay, it’s not healthier than higher-quality olive oils. But, it is cheaper than virgin or extra virgin olive oil and healthier than other edible oils and butter. The Olive Oil Times points out that, when produced correctly without hexane, this olive oil is better suited for frying and sautéing than many alternatives.
