Tag: Cooking oil comparisons

According to a 2022 study published in PubMed, older Chinese adults who cooked with lard or other animal fats had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease than those using vegetable oil, challenging long-held assumptions about which is healthier for you, lard or vegetable oil. Deciding between these two common cooking fats is not as straightforward as it once seemed, requiring a closer look at their processing, fatty acid composition, and stability under heat.

While often used in processed foods for its texture and affordability, palm oil is high in saturated fat and linked to significant deforestation. Replacing “bad” fats with “good” fats, like monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, is a crucial step towards heart-healthy eating. This guide answers the question, "What is healthier than palm oil?" by examining superior alternatives for your health and the environment.

Over 50% of the fatty acid content in both virgin and refined coconut oil consists of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are absorbed and metabolized quickly by the body. This makes it a popular choice, but knowing whether to bake with virgin or refined coconut oil is crucial for the success of your recipes.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the Mediterranean diet emphasizes heart-healthy unsaturated fats from sources like olive oil over saturated fats found in butter. So, what butter is recommended for a Mediterranean diet, and what should you use instead to align with these heart-healthy principles?

Approximately 10% of palm oil is composed of polyunsaturated linoleic acid. This fact often comes as a surprise, given the oil's reputation for being high in saturated fat, but its unique fatty acid profile provides a balanced mix of both saturated and unsaturated fats.

According to the American Heart Association, replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats is one of the most effective dietary changes you can make to improve your cholesterol levels. This guide will help you understand what's the best cooking oil to use when you have high cholesterol to support a healthier heart.