As a staple in a variety of kitchen pantries, Olive Oil is well known for its flexible versatility, flavor, and essential health properties. When it comes to all of those health benefits we hear about Olive Oil, a large percentage of the time it applies to Extra Virgin Olive Oil. In addition, this extra virgin classification is when oil is mechanically pressed from the olives without any heat or chemicals applied.
Additionally, the International Olive Council and USDA require that brands enforce the standards of oils that are labeled with extra virgin olive oil, but it is generally always a good idea to do more research into the brand you're purchasing as these standards are not generally enforced correctly all the time.
This often times has resulted in fraud in the Olive Oil industry, in which some Olive Oil providers will dilute extra virgin olive oil along with other, cheaper oils to increase their profits. So you may be asking, what exactly makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil so healthy?
Full of Heart-Healthy Monounsaturated Fats
Monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) are an extraordinary healthy fat to incorporate into your daily diet as a result of the heart health benefits.
73% of the fat in Olive Oil stems from oleic acid, a sort of Monounsaturated Fats. Additionally, Olive Oil has shown to assist in lowering inflammation, lower blood pressure, protect LDL cholesterol, and may even assist in preventing unwanted blood clotting.
Olive Oil Is A Great Anti-Inflammatory
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is full of antioxidants. More specifically in a variety of polyphenols, which acts as antioxidants in the body, and may also have anti-inflammatory benefits as well.
It is really distinct that Extra Virgin Olive Oil can offer some anti-inflammatory benefits, because most fats tend to create more inflammation in the body. In addition, those same antioxidant polyphenols are often the same ones that have outstanding anti-inflammatory benefits.
Olive Oil Has Great Digestive Health Benefits
Evidence from test tube trials and initial human trials suggest that Olive Oil can have antibacterial properties, more directly against the strain Helicobacter pylori.
This is a bacteria that lives in the stomach and can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. One human study showed that 30 grams of Extra Virgin Olive Oil routinely can help reduce Helicobacter pylori infection in 10-40% of cases within two weeks.
Olive Oil Is A Great Cancer Fighter
A handful of studies have also discovered that populations that consume diets rich in Olive Oil have lowered risk of upper digestive tract cancers, including stomach and small intestine.
In fact, populations that consume daily amounts of olive oil have shown to have lower incidence of certain types of cancer. Free radicals are believed to be a leading cause of cancer and the antioxidants in Olive Oil may help againstt them.
Olive Oil Is Great For Rheumatoid Arthritis
Individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) that alternate their diets with Olive Oil have shown enhanced inflammatory markers and reduced oxidative stress. This is especially true when olive oil supplementation is combined with fish oil.
One study displayed that participants taking olive oil and fish oil together had significantly reduced joint pain, increased grip strength, and decreased morning stiffness.
Olive Oil Has Essential Cognitive Benefits
1 benefit of the Mediterranean diet is enhanced cognitive function, especially among older adults. A variety of research is being done into the function olive oil plays specifically in this, as it is a critical component of the Mediterranean diet.
Recent research is indicating that in animal trials, olive oil can help during times of brain imbalance, like molecules passing too easily along the blood barrier.
Other early-stage studies are advocating that a substance in olive oil can prevent buildup of a type of plaque in brain cells that is a vital feature of Alzheimer's Disease, although further human studies are needed.
Did you know that Extra Virgin Olive Oil has an essential component of benefits? As a matter of fact, the Mediterranean Diet encourages the liberal use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in all its recipes.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Helps With Weight Loss
The Greeks generally tend to consume 20 liters of Extra Virgin Olive Oil annually and the end result is that they don't have a lot of fat to be worried about. If they can stay slim even while taking a great deal of olive oil then it is possible for you to achieve the same slimness with the aid of this ingredient.
Olive Oil Aids In Relief For Pain
Olive Oil contains oleocanthal that is known to contain anti-inflammatory properties making this product a natural way to cure pain.
Research displayed that inflammation generally appears in a variety of chronic illnesses which means that the use of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is worth thinking about.
Lessen Hair Frizz With Olive Oil
Frizzy hair is typically a problem for a handful of people but instead of applying gel in your hair to tame your wild hair, why not use Extra Virgin Olive Oil? All that you have to do is to add a few drops of the oil on the palms of your hands, rub them together and run them on your hair gently.
DIY Skin Moisturizer With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Your skin needs moisturizing to retain its smoothness and silkiness but if you don't have available moisturizer or you love to create things on your own, our Olive Oil experts suggest that you try combining rosemary, mint, or even lavender from Olive Oil then apply on your skin as natural moisturizer.
Olive Oil Prevents Mental Decline
Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains large amounts of monounsaturated fat that, according to numerous research, slows or prevents the onset of mental decline which is linked to mental disorders such as Alzheimer's.
Olive Oil Is Great For Diaper Rash Treatment
Did you know that before diaper rash treatments came into being, mothers during the earlier years use to use extra virgin olive oil to heal rashes?
Olive Oil Helps Your Body Function Smoothly
Another benefit of adding Extra Virgin Olive Oil for your day to day diet is that it helps your body and your organs to operate smoothly. Just like your car needs regular oil change, your body needs the same treatment so that it will run in the best condition.
Deter Diabetes With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Adding Extra Virgin Olive Oil in your daily diet may either delay or prevent diabetes from occurring. What the olive oil does is to regulate or balance the levels of insulin in your body so you don't have to be concerned about your blood sugar levels from spiking.
Boosts Immune System With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Your immune system is important as it combats the onset of various diseases from common colds to the more severe health issues. And since extra virgin olive oil contains high amounts of antioxidants, your immune system will get the boost it needs to offer you protection from all types of illnesses.
The amount of antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil can't be found in other types of oil so you may want to include it in your diet starting today.
Here are a few tips that our Olive Oil ExpertsI follow when purchasing, using, and storing Olive Oil:
Maintain Olive Oil Out Of the Light.
You might have spent a great amount of money on your Olive Oil and you want to check at these labels lined up on your countertop. Unfortunately, light destroys Olive Oil so our Olive Oil Specialist imply that you stow it away. Nothing destroys Olive Oil faster than light, except heat.
Keep Olive Oil Away From Heat.
Don't store your olive oil on that shelf above your stove or directly alongside it, although that's where it's usually handy. in addition, try and keep it away from sunlight as well. It's best not to store Olive Oil from the refrigerator. If you do, a handful of Olive Oil experts state that when you take it out, the condensation can dilute the Olive Oil and cause it to spoil faster.
If You Can, Taste Before You Buy.
Olive Oil changes from batch-to-batch, and a variety of places offer you an opportunity to taste it before you purchase it. Our Olive Oil experts recommend that you take a fantastic smell first; a lot can be determined by how the oil smells before you taste it. Is it nutty, grassy, sweet, oily, or 'green'? All those are qualities you may like, or not. Start looking for stores and food markets in your area that offer tastings, so you can sample. It's a great way to find one that you like.
Don't Pay Much Attention To The Country Of Origin.
Just like people say,"American food is bad," there's great American food and there's bad American food. Same with olive oil. There's good Tuscan olive oil and there's bad Tuscan olive oil. Just because something says'Tuscany' or'Provence' on the label does not mean it's necessarily good or bad.
Also be aware that "Made In France" (or "Made in Italy") means something different than "Product of France. ""Made In..." means the oil is actually made in that country with olives that are assumed to be grown and pressed there.
"Product of Italy" means that the olive oil was bottled there, but could be made from olives from North African that were sent to Italy for bottling. It's not that that's necessarily bad, but it is wonderful to be up-front about these sort of things with customers so we know what we're getting.
Spend More On Olive Oil, You Will Generally Get More.
People will pay $15 or $20 on a bottle of wine, that will last through a single meal. On the other hand, in regards to Olive Oil, which will last weeks or months, consumers balk at paying anywhere near those prices. Price is not necessarily an indication of quality, but a $3.99 bottle of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil is more then likely not the real deal.
Use Olive Oil While It's Still In It's Best Form.
Great Extra-Virgin Olive Oil will last about a year if kept the ideal way. Typically, cheap Olive Oils are often already rancid when you start them since they're mechanically-harvested, which bruises the fruits. Then they're allowed to sit for a few days before pressing, which probably increases the chance and speed of spoilage.
Organize Your Olive Oil Own Tasting!
Regardless of what anyone else says, just you know what you enjoy and what price you feel comfortable paying for a bottle. Our Olive Oil experts suggest that you check the local markets and food stores and taste what available. Purchase various Olive Oils and taste them with others. Read up and learn why an exceptional Olive Oil is actually worth it, and you will appreciate that drizzle of fragrant, zippy, or peppery olive oil from the jar even more.
