Exploring the Classification of Olive Oil: Is It a Seed Oil?

Narayani Bhardwaj
8 Min Read

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Is olive oil a seed oil? Is this the question that is also rattling in your mind? Olive oil does not fall in the category of seed oils. Do you know why? Olive oil is a healthy, multi-purpose oil with various health benefits. But we often think of olive oil as a seed oil.

Olives are fruits that are used in a variety of dishes to make them flavourful. The oil extracted from the fruits of olives is known as olive oil, which signifies that Olive Oil is fruit oil. Therefore, there is no role of seeds in this oil, so it’s not considered a seed oil.

is olive oil a seed oil
By Pixabay at pexels

Olive is a staple ingredient, that is widely used in the Mediterranean business, it is also mainly produced in the Mediterranean countries. These countries include Portugal, Italy, Tunisia, Spain, Morocco, and Greece.

However, with an increase in modern farming techniques, you can find olives now on every continent of the world.

Varieties of Olive Oil

Though you can find hundreds of varieties of olive oil, the main four varieties that people use often are mentioned below:

Pure Olive Oil

While the name describes it as pure olive oil, this is not completely pure oil. This type of pure olive oil is prepared by mixing refined oil with virgin or extra-virgin quality oil.

varieties of olive oil
By Pixabay at pexels

When the oil extraction quality is not as good as expected, this technique is used. Here, a better quality olive oil like virgin or extra virgin olive oil is blended with the refined oil.

Refined Olive Oil

The oil extracted from the ripe and black fruits of olive is known as refined olive oil. It is also known for its great significance in preventing colon cancer as it has the minimum amount of virgin olive oil in it. Though it is good for cooking purposes, it is still considered a low-quality olive oil.

Virgin Olive Oil

Unrefined forms of olive oil are known as virgin olive oil. Instead of using high-temperature methods, it is prepared by cold-pressing method. You can find a taste of natural flavors and aroma in the dishes but it gives a milder taste than the extra virgin olive oil.

vector image of olives and olive oil
source: freepik

1.1.4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is known to be the best type of olive oil. All the natural elements remain inside it as it is prepared by the cold-pressing method. Most people use this quality of oil for health purposes as it has the least acidity content among all types. However, some people also consume a small amount of extra virgin olive oil, which provides health benefits.

Meaning of Seed Oils

soyabean oil
source: freepik

The type of oil that is extracted from the seeds of various plants is known as seed oil. People use seed oils for a variety of purposes, including cooking, cosmetics, and for industrial use. Sesame oil, flaxseed oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, pumpkin seed oil, soybean oil, grapeseed oil, chia seed oil, and hemp seed oil are the oils that are extracted from the seeds of their plants.

Difference Between Olive Oil & Seed Oil

Olive Oil is a fruit oil, which is prepared by milling the olives whereas seed oils are prepared by extracting oils from different types of seeds of plants. So, in contrast, you can observe that both types of oils have their benefits and flavors and these can easily be distinguished.

Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive Oil is enriched with vitamin E, polyphenols, and many other antioxidants. Do you know that antioxidants protect our bodies against damage by free radicals? In short, they help protect us from various types of diseases, such as cancer and heart strokes. Olive oil has several benefits, which are mentioned below.

What Does OLIVE OIL Do for Your Body?

Lowers the Risk of Cancer

Olive oil contains polyphenols, which are good antioxidants for maintaining health. The compounds in it release anti-cancer properties, which lower the risk of colon, breast, bowel, prostate, and other types of cancer.

Enhance Cardiovascular Health

Regular consumption of olive oil in dishes improves cardiovascular health, as it reduces the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. It also lowers blood pressure, so it can be useful for people suffering from anxiety and hypertension. In combination with these effects, olive oil protects the heart from various diseases or disorders.

Helps in Digestion

Oil nourishes and maintains the digestive system. It also prevents constipation by regulating bowel movements. Consuming olive oil regularly can prevent many diseases related to digestion.

Reduces the Risk of Stroke

As it reduces the bad cholesterol levels in the blood, it prevents the cholesterol blood from sending to the brain condition and reduces the risk of stroke as well.

Good for Weight Loss

One reason people use olive oil is that it helps with weight loss. It contains monosaturated fats, such as oleic acid, which help maintain heart health and manage blood sugar levels.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Consuming it regularly reduces the cravings of eating regularly, which limits the intake of calories in our bodies. Hence, it can be said that it is good for weight loss.

Skin Benefits

The olive oil contains antioxidants and vitamin E, which contribute to moisturizing our skin, prevent wrinkles and fine lines, and help repair damaged or cracked heels. It may also prevent acne and lighten the stretch marks when you apply it regularly.

Summary

Most people use olive oil for cooking purposes and various other reasons. However, one important reason is that Olive Oil has multiple health benefits and protects us against several kinds of diseases. Many people often think that olive oil is a seed oil, but I think this theory is entirely wrong. Olive oil is just an extract of olive fruits, so it cannot be considered a seed oil.

Last Updated on by Janhavi Ramesh Kowligi

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Narayani Bhardwaj is a young and ambitious Web Content Writer with more than a two years of experience. She writes with her passion and desires of travelling the beautiful places in the world. The places merely not include only travelling, the articles she writes, are strictly professional with a touch of an individual's sincerity and feelings on what they are looking for. She has upskilled herself in the field of writing for her audience, and ensures the quality of the content which is relatable in executive as well as distinctive manner.

Education Masters of Computer Applications Certifications/Qualifications MCA in Computer Science BCA in Computer Science Programming Foundations with JavaScript, HTML and CSS by Coursera
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