Science Finally Knows Exactly Which The Best Oils Are (And There Are Surprising Winners)

What if we had to review some of the most deeply held beliefs about oil? a A new study by the Supreme Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) It can change some concepts That we have about what may be the most famous product of Spanish agriculture and gastronomy.

Fat is a staple in our diet, and beyond evaluation, we tend to swear. A reflection of this, which caused a lot of talk at the time, was the low score the rating system received Nutriscore It gave some good quality oils.

To solve these problems, a team of researchers from the Lipid Institute (IG), a CSIC Research Attache Center, He established a system for evaluating the quality of different types of oils And other dietary fats that we can find in the market.

The index scored between zero and 100 for oils, with a 50 boundary between what might be considered healthy and what was not. A total of 32 oils and fats were evaluated by the researchers.

Based on this indicator, experts were able to make an objective and more accurate classification of various oils based on their quality. The results came as a bit of a surprise. Where there was nothing in the first place: Virgin olive oil is still considered the best.

What makes olive oil blacken? As the authors explain in condition A contributing factor to a positive outcome for AOV [aceite de oliva virgen] Its high content of oleic acid was “. This compound is often associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Other compounds listed by the team include linoleic acid, tocopherols, and hydroxytyrosol.

The next three oils on the list (With a score of 86) were flaxseed oil, conventional olive oils, and olive-pomace oil. The latter presents one of the surprises of the study as it is usually considered to be of lower quality.

High-oleic sunflower oil (ex Evening primrose, which is linked in the score) do not lag behind. With an index of 82, this is another case where expectations can betray us. Another surprise, palm oil, according to the index, will still score above the 50 mark (55 to be exact).

in general, Vegetable oils scored better than animal oils, although cases such as fish fats could be highlighted (those in salmon and sardines, for example, had an index of 73); Or some unhealthy vegetable fat (margarine, 14; coconut oil, the least cited as healthy, has an index of zero).

Five fats scored less than 50. In addition to margarine and coconut oil, these were beef tallow and lard at a score of 45, and butter at 32.

On many occasions, scientists, as well as nutritionists, are asked which oil is healthier or whether a particular oil is healthier than another. Even today, we have provided an answer that, although based on our knowledge of the issue, was not supported by a study. specific,” Javier Sanchez-Perona, the study’s principal investigator, explained in a press release.

with the a result That we propose in this study, we hope to provide exactly this support, in light of this The criteria we used are those dietary recommendations and health claims from major international organizations.”

Olive oil is produced in a few hours on the peninsula. This crop (and many others) has been affected by drought, to the dismay of thousands of people whose incomes largely depend on it. Therefore, it is not a bad idea to remember the great value that this food has in the culture of Southern Europe and, of course, in the health of the people of this region.

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