Quick Summary
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What is avocado oil? How is it different from olive oil?
Avocado oil is extracted from the pulp of avocados. If removed mechanically without chemicals at temperatures below 122°F (which is considered "cold pressed," although modern facilities may now use centrifugation instead of the actual traditional press), it may be considered extra virgin or virgin and will be green and somewhat cloudy. If processed further, it is considered refined (sometimes referred to as "pure") and will be yellowish and, typically, clear (see What It Is).
Avocado oil has a higher smoke-point than olive oil, so it may be preferred for cooking at very high temperatures and it does not have the bitterness of olive oil due to a much lower concentration of polyphenols.
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Does avocado oil have health benefits?
Although not proven, avocado oil is likely to be heart-healthy if replacing saturated fats, like butter, due to its high percentage of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. It is also a good source of vitamin E, provides enough beta-sitosterol to potentially improve symptoms of benign prostate enlargement, and contributes modestly to lutein intake, which may reduce the risk of macular degeneration (see What It Does).
Which are the best and worst avocado oils?
We tested eight extra virgin, refined, or ungraded avocado oils. Based on chemical analysis, one product appeared to include oil other than avocado oil and was, therefore, Not Approved. On taste-testing, another product tasted of rotten avocados, so we don't recommend it (see What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated). Among the Approved products, we selected a Top Pick for its pleasant, medium flavor and mild, buttery, and herbaceous aroma. It was more expensive than most of the products although not the most expensive. Use the Results table to compare the test results and price per tablespoon, which ranged from 21 cents to $1.13.
It's worth noting that good avocado oil is expensive, costing several times the amount of best extra virgin olive oils that we have tested (which cost about 25 to 35 cents per tablespoon).-
How to store avocado oil?
Avocado oil should be stored at room temperature and away from light, preferably in a dark-glass bottle or stainless-steel container. Avocado oil that is unopened should remain stable for at least two years if properly stored. It is not necessary to refrigerate avocado oil, even after it is opened (see ConsumerTips).
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Safety and side effects of avocado oil:
Avocado oil is generally safe and well-tolerated, although some people may have an allergic reaction, and consumption of large amounts could potentially interact with the drug warfarin (see Concerns and Cautions).
Products tested in 2021
+— 35 sources
In addition the results of its expert testing, ConsumerLab uses only high-quality, evidence based, information sources. These sources include peer-reviewed studies and information from agencies such as the FDA and USDA, and the National Academy of Medicine. On evolving topics, studies from pre-print journals may be sourced. All of our content is reviewed by medical doctors and doctoral-level experts in pharmacology, toxicology, and chemistry. We continually update and medically review our information to keep our content trustworthy, accurate, and reliable. The following sources are referenced in this article:
- Qin, J Oleo Sci 2016
- Davis, J Am Heart Assoc 2024
- Dreher, Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2013
- Flores, J Food Sci Eng 2014
- Goudarzi, Medicina (Kaunas
- Khan, J Nutr 2021
- Kim, Kor J Aesthet Cosmetol 2013
- Kopec, J Nutr 2014
- Lequesne, Arthritis Rheum 2002
- Lichtenstein, J Am Heart Assoc 2022
- Maheu, Ann Rheum Dis 2014
- Mo, Lipids 2014
- Paltita.com
- Park, Kor J Aesthet Cosmetol 2013
- Patzelt, Skin Res Technol 2012
- Peou, J Clin Lipidol 2016
- Simental-Mendia, Int J Rheum Dis 2019
- de Oliveira, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2013
- EFSA Panel, EFSA J 2019
- Green, Food Control 2020
- Green, Food Control 2023
- Mamavation
- Tang, Molecules 2021
- De Alzaa, Acta Sci Nutr Health 2018
- Lopez-Alvarez, Appl Food Res 2026
- The Olive Oil Source 2018
- Woolf, Gourmet and Health-Promoting Specialty Oils 2009
- list of results by brand
- Abrams, Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol 2011
- Blanco, Allergy 1994
- Blickstein, The Lancet 1991
- Kulkarni J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev 2010
- Merck Veterinary Manual 2018
- Wagner, Biochem Soc Trans 2002
- de Groot Contact Dermatitis 1987
You must be a member to get the full test results for 7 avocado oils along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings.
In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:
- Which avocado oils passed our tests of quality -- including laboratory testing and expert sensory testing -- and which did not
- ConsumerLab.com's Top Pick for the best quality and best tasting avocado oil
- How avocado oils compare in oleic acid levels, purity, freshness, and taste
- The difference between extra virgin and refined avocado oil
- The health benefits of avocado oil, including the evidence for and against avocado oil for heart health, osteoarthritis, and healthy skin
- How to buy, use, store, and cook with avocado oil
- Cautions when using avocado oil along with prescription medications
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The "Latest Update" date indicates when new clinical or product information was most recently added. In the full review (available to CL members), the newest information is highlighted in yellow and, if a new product is added, it is footnoted in the results table, showing the date added to the review. The year(s) when testing was completed for the products in the review appears at the end of the Summary section.
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