IS GRAPE SEED OIL REALLY BETTER THAN OLIVE OIL FOR COOKING?

In another quest for "Making sense of nonsense" I found this little nugget. There is a strong belief in society that grape seed oil is a better choice for cooking than olive oil. This is just not true.  Just because something has a higher smoke point does not mean it does not oxidize. Oxidation is the worst thing that can happen to a fat. Once it oxidizes it becomes rancid and causes all kinds of health problems including contributing to inappropriate cell proliferation which leads to cancer. Science has proven that our bodies know what to do with oxidized omega 3's but not omega 6's. Grapeseed oil is an omega 6 and it does oxidize. Extra virgin olive oil (an omega 3) has greater than 50% polyphenols (antioxidants) which prevent oxidization and it is a much better choice for cooking.  So, the next time you cook a piece of wild seafood reach for the olive oil and use your grape seed oil for making salad dressing.

It is important though to not heat your oils (any oils) beyond their smoke point as they give off toxic smoke. Never heat your olive oil beyond 200 degrees celsius and avoid any smoke.