Meenakshi Devi Meenakshi Devi Asked 6 months ago

Does olive oil cause cancer when heated?

I've switched to cooking with olive oil more often, thinking it's a healthy option. But my sister told me that heating olive oil to high temperatures can turn it unhealthy or even carcinogenic. Is it true that olive oil causes cancer when heated?

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5 answers

Anitha Kurian Anitha Kurian Joined Feb 2026 6 months ago
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Olive oil doesn't cause cancer when heated under normal cooking conditions. However, extra virgin olive oil has a low smoke point, and overheating it to the point of smoking can release harmful compounds. For high-heat Indian deep frying, it's safer to use oils like mustard or groundnut oil.

Ritu Sharma Ritu Sharma Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

I use olive oil for my PCOS diet because of its anti-inflammatory benefits, but I only use it for light sautéing or salad dressings. I try to avoid heating any oil too much as it breaks down the good nutrients. Be cautious and research safe cooking temperatures for different oils.

Sanjay Dutt Sanjay Dutt Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

During my recent health recovery journey, my nutritionist clarified this exact doubt for me. Heating olive oil normally for daily cooking is perfectly safe and won't cause cancer. Just don't reuse the same oil multiple times for deep frying, as that is what produces toxic substances.

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Harnam Singh Harnam Singh Joined Mar 2026 6 months ago

In our traditional cooking, we always used mustard oil or ghee which can withstand high heat very well. Olive oil is good for health, but it is best used cold or gently heated for light foods. Do not use it for heavy frying, as our traditional oils are better suited for Indian cooking.

Meera Joshi Meera Joshi Joined Apr 2026 6 months ago

I pay close attention to my cooking oils because of my thyroid condition. My doctor advised me that while heated olive oil is safe, keeping thyroid levels stable requires a balanced intake of healthy fats. Make sure you get your regular thyroid tests done to keep your overall health on track.

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