Is Organic Cooking Oil Better Than Non-Organic Cooking Oil?

March 11, 2024

It’s long been debated as to the health benefits that non-organic and organic cooking oils have. Where most people think that non-organic oils are no more unhealthy than organic cooking oils, it’s more likely that organic cooking oils, such as olive oil especially, are in fact better for you than the more conventional, non-organic alternatives. With this in mind, let’s investigate this a bit further.

Is organic cooking oil better?

It’s been widely argued over the years as to whether or not organic cooking oil is actually any better for you than regular, non-organic cooking oil. However, you’re far more likely to be able to buy organic olive oil and extra virgin olive oil than any other type of cooking oil, which is why we’re going to focus on olive oil for the purpose of this article.

What is organic olive oil?

There are a few differences between organic olive oil and non-organic olive oil. Non-organic cooking oils, for instance, are made from olives that are grown with the help of herbicides, pesticides and different fertilisation techniques. Organic olive oil, on the other hand, will contain olives that have been naturally grown, without the use of the aforementioned aids and chemicals.

Olive oil is arguably one of the healthiest cooking oils on the market, because olives are packed with antioxidants and nutrients. The fact that you can buy organic olive oil makes this particular cooking oil seem even more attractive and beneficial to our overall health than non-organic olive oil. Where you might think that organic olive oil isn’t much better for us than regular olive oil, there are actually some benefits to it, which we’ll discuss in a moment.

What are the benefits of organic olive oil?

There are several benefits of using organic olive oil, despite the common belief that organic foods and oils actually do very little in terms of health. That’s why one of the advantages is the impact organic olive oil has on the planet, or lack thereof. Let’s delve into a few of the benefits of using organic olive oil:

1. Quality certification

The price tag that goes along with olive oil is already high, so it’s even more costly when it comes to organic olive oil. This is why organic olive oil is easily identified in supermarkets and farm shops, through the use of certification stamps. This lets the consumer know that the olive oil is organic and hasn’t been grown using any pesticides or other fertilisation methods. Where it might not mean a lot to some shoppers, the difference to others can be significant, which is why organic olive oil can be easily identified during your weekly shop.

2. It’s more eco-friendly

Pesticides, herbicides and different fertilisation tactics can have an impact on the environment. Organic growing methods are considered to be more eco-friendly, mainly because chemicals aren’t being released into the air, contributing to pollution. With organic growing methods, where chemicals aren’t used, it helps to increase and enhance biodiversity as well as prevent further chemicals being released into the atmosphere.

3. Antioxidants and bioactive compounds found in olives are preserved

We’ve already touched on the health benefits that come with olives and olive oil, especially if it’s organic. Organic growing methods help to preserve the antioxidants, bioactive compounds and other nutrients that olives contain, meaning you’ll be able to benefit, almost directly, from using olive oil, where you cook with it, dip bread in it or use it as a light-yet-delicious salad dressing.

How to recognise organic cooking oils

Where you might think it’s impossible to recognise an organic cooking oil from a non-organic cooking oil, you’d actually be mistaken. There are some tell-tale signs that will indicate organic cooking oil from non-organic cooking oils. However, organic oils cost a premium in comparison to non-organic oils, which is why it’s important that you’re able to tell the difference. Where you can’t tell the difference when it comes to taste, smell or colour, there are some other things you can look out for, such as: the cooking oil has been registered as organic (PDO/PGI) and it will have a certification label on the bottle.

Are non-organic cooking oils unhealthy?

According to the Heathline, non-organic cooking oil isn’t actually deemed to be unhealthy, although some vegetable oils contain fatty acids and it isn’t necessarily processed in the most healthy way. The way in which non-organic cooking oils might be deemed to be unhealthy is the fact that the source it comes from may have been treated with pesticides and other chemicals, including chemicals used to cause quicker and more substantial crop growth.

Essentially, this is deemed to be a genetic mutation; something that you wouldn’t have to worry about when it comes to organic cooking oils, whether it be olive oil or another type of cooking oil. If used in moderation, non-organic cooking oils aren’t necessarily unhealthy for your diet, but some might consider them to be harmful to the environment, especially because of the pesticides and chemicals that are used in the original source.

Cater Oils are able to provide new cooking oil supplies to our customers, whilst also offering a waste cooking oil collection service. If we collect your waste oil, we can give you cash or a credit note against a brand new supply of cooking oil; whichever you would prefer. By giving us your used cooking oil, you’ll also be helping to reduce your own carbon footprint, and that of the community’s, as it will be used to create biodiesel. If you would like further information about our waste cooking oil collection service, or to learn more about our new cooking oil supply services, then get in touch with a member of our professional, friendly team today – we’re always pleased to hear from you.