Top 4 Healthy Oils for High Heat Cooking

There is no question about it—fat is back. Incorporating healthy fats in your diet can provide many benefits for mood, skin, hormonal, and overall health. (3)(13) However, with so many choices available, from butter to flax oil, choosing the best cooking oil can be a challenge. Keep reading to learn about the factors that determine the safety of an oil for cooking and some of the healthiest options.

The “smoke point” is a term often used to describe the temperature at which oil starts to lose its integrity and release harmful free radicals. (26)

What makes an oil safe for cooking?

When we talk about the healthiest cooking oils and fats, it’s important to understand the concept of oxidation and fat stability. (5)

When an oil is exposed to heat, oxygen, or light, a process known as oxidation and the subsequent production of potentially harmful free radicals may occur. (11) Free radicals are harmful compounds that have been linked to many health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, inflammatory joint disease, and chronic digestive conditions. (10) An oil’s resistance to oxidation is determined primarily by the saturation of the fatty acids found in an oil. (11) “Smoke point” is the term often used to describe the temperature at which an oil starts to oxidize, losing its integrity and releasing free radicals. (26)

Saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids are distinguished by their chemical structure. (35)Let’s take a look at the chemical structure of fats and how it contributes to the stability of an oil when exposed to oxidation factors such as heat. Monounsaturated fats have one double bond in their chemical structure, polyunsaturated fats have two or more bonds, and saturated fats are made up of a single bond structure. Fats and oils contain each of these types of fatty acids in varying amounts, with animal fats, such as butter and lard, containing a higher amount of saturated fatty acids and plant-sourced oils, such as flax and olive oil, typically containing a higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids.

This is why saturated fats such as butter are more stable at room temperature and exist in solid form, while unsaturated fats such as olive oil are less stable and tend to be liquid at room temperature. Polyunsaturated fats, containing multiple double bonds, are therefore more easily damaged when exposed to higher heat during cooking. (10)(35)

Did you know? While saturated fats have been demonized for years, more recent studies have questioned claims citing saturated fat’s negative health effects, particularly related to cardiovascular disease. (6)(16)(27)(31)

What is the healthiest cooking oil?: Top 4 best oils to cook with

While polyunsaturated fatty acids offer a range of important health benefits, saturated and monounsaturated fats are better for high heat cooking as a result of their more stable nature. Summarized below are four of the top fats to use in the kitchen for cooking such as roasting and sautéing.

Virgin coconut oil is at the top of the oils safe to cook with, with it’s fatty acid composition 90% saturated fat content. (14)

Virgin coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil tops the list of safe cooking oils with a fatty acid composition of 90% saturated fatty acids, a large portion of which being lauric acid. (14) Lauric acid found in virgin coconut oil has been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation, a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease. (18)

Not only has coconut oil been shown to protect against cardiovascular disease, but the medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) found in coconut oil may increase metabolism and feelings of satiety (fullness) between meals, suggesting it can be helpful in maintaining a healthy weight. (2)(34) There is no shortage of ways to use coconut oil for cooking. including weeknight curries, veggie-packed stir fries, and healthy baked goods.

Saturated fatty acid content: 91%
Monounsaturated fatty acid content: 7%
Polyunsaturated fatty acid content: 2% (21)

Avocado oil

It’s hard to go wrong when using avocado oil for cooking. Avocado oil is rich in oleic acid, a beneficial monounsaturated fatty acid that is also found in olive oil. (24) Heart healthy oleic acid has been shown to reduce blood pressure by regulating the lipid membrane structure. (33) The ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids found in avocado oil makes it great for high heat cooking, such as roasting and frying your favorite vegetables. (4)

Saturated fatty acid content: 12%
Monounsaturated fatty acid content: 74%
Polyunsaturated fatty acid content: 14% (22)

Ghee is made by removing the milk solids from the butter, creating a more stable, nutrient-dense cooking oil. (30)

Grass-fed butter and ghee

For years, butter was demonized for its saturated fat content and replaced with margarine, which was believed to be a healthier, heart healthy alternative. As it turns out, butter isn’t so bad after all, and margarine is the one to avoid as research suggests that this butter alternative may be the one of the contributing inflammatory factors to coronary heart disease. (9)

Butter made specifically from grass-fed cattle is rich in conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), which has been shown to have notable health benefits. CLA has been studied for its anticancer properties, suppressing the development of cancerous tumors in vivo and in vitro. (12)(15) CLA has also been shown to have a beneficial effect on immunity and inflammation. (25)(32) Research has demonstrated CLA’s ability to decrease levels of proteins involved in the inflammatory process, specifically in male athletes. (17)

Butter is also rich in butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that is also produced by the beneficial bacteria in our guts as a source of energy for intestinal cells. (8) Butyrate supports optimal digestive health and has been shown to decrease symptoms related to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. (36) The research also suggests that butyrate may have anti-inflammatory effects in patients with Crohn’s disease, a condition characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain and digestive discomfort. (29)

Keep in mind is that the sugars and protein found in butter can burn when heating them at high temperatures—that’s where ghee comes in. Ghee, a type of clarified butter, is made by removing the milk solids from the butter, leaving just the butterfat behind, creating a more stable, nutrient-dense cooking oil option. (30)

Saturated fatty acid content: 68%
Monounsaturated fatty acid content: 28%
Polyunsaturated fatty acid content: 4% (20)

Extra-virgin olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a key component of the Mediterranean diet and has had a welcome spot in our pantries for years. EVOO is high in heart healthy oleic acid, much like avocado oil. It is also another kitchen staple that keeps its integrity and nutritional value when exposed to heat. (1)(4) The monounsaturated fatty acids found in EVOO help to lower triglyceride levels, and its antioxidants can reduce arterial stress and support arterial cell function. (19) From sautéing leafy greens to roasting vegetables, using olive oil for cooking provides a nutritious and healthy source of fat.

Saturated fatty acid content: 14%
Monounsaturated fatty acid content: 75%
Polyunsaturated fatty acid content: 11% (23)

Cooking oils to avoid

Although seed oils like hemp and flaxseed oil are stable at room room temperature, their high polyunsaturated fatty acid profiles make them susceptible to oxidation when exposed to heat. (11) It is also recommended to stay away from highly processed vegetable oils, such as canola and corn oil, which have been linked to the development of numerous health conditions, including cancer and heart disease. (7)(28)

The bottom line

Using healthy, heat-stable cooking oils in everyday cooking can be a great way to add flavor and a dose of healthy fats to meals. Coconut oil, avocado oil, butter or ghee, and olive oil are all excellent choices for culinary cooking purposes based on their fatty acid and nutrition profile. It’s important to reserve oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids that oxidize easily such as flax and hemp seed oil for low heat food preparation such as salad dressings.

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Best Cooking Oil: Top 4 Healthy Oils for High Heat Cooking