Is pomace olive oil healthy?

Pomace olive oil is generally a cheaper type of olive oil. That it 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

Just a quick refresher: there are 4 different types of olive oil that are suitable for consumption. To make it more complicated, these types can also be subdivided into different categories. The best olive oil is organic extra virgin olive oil. This olive oil is cold-pressed in an authentic way immediately after harvesting. This way, it retains the most healthy nutrients such as vitamin C and E, polyphenols, antioxidants, and unsaturated fats.

Then, for each olive oil that ranks lower on the ladder, you lose quality. 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 is left behind. Our pomace olive oil is naturally made from this pulp.

We heat the pulp to 60 degrees Celsius. This produces crude pomace olive oil, which we filter and steam without chemical processes. To give this olive oil more flavor 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! Now you know what pomace olive oil is and how pomace olive oil is made. But is pomace olive oil healthy?

Is pomace olive oil healthy?

Most of the nutrients are in the original olive. The olive pulp left behind has less flavor and healthy nutrients. But luckily, not everything is lost, and pomace olive oil still retains healthy nutrients. So, is pomace olive oil healthy? In this comprehensive article from Olive Oil Times, a lot of scientific research is cited to answer this question.

For example, research is cited showing that pomace olive oil still contains a lot of healthy unsaturated fats (on average 75%). A study shows that this, for example, improved cardiometabolic risk and lowered “bad cholesterol.”

It is also mentioned that pomace olive oil retains some polyphenols. Yes, in a lesser amount than extra virgin olive oil, but compared to other edible oils, it is still a healthy alternative. 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.

A key note is that pomace olive oil must be produced in the most natural and beautiful way. You can also produce pomace olive oil in a more “efficient” manner. To refine crude pomace olive oil, hexane can be used. This happens in many cheaper pomace olive oils. This is a chemical substance that is not suitable for consumption. We are not a fan of this, and therefore we do it the natural way!

A good, affordable option – now available at Albert Heijn

So, is pomace olive oil healthy? Absolutely! Okay, it is 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. Olive Oil Times doesn’t say this for nothing – they mention that, when produced correctly without hexane, this olive oil is better suited for baking and frying than many alternatives.