The benefits of using fat are quite controversial. There is still controversy about the benefits of animal fats, seed oils and almost all other oils.
One of the few oils, that everyone agrees is healthy, is olive oil. This vegetable oil, part of the Mediterranean diet, is a staple food for some of the healthiest human populations in the world.
Extra Virgin olive oil is the best you can buy or get among all olive oils. On September 30th, in some parts of the world, Olive Day is celebrated. Therefore, it is good to remind you of the reasons why this oil is considered one of the most healthy foods in the world.
Why is Extra Virgin Olive Oil the healthiest food on earth?
Studies on olive oil show that the fatty acids and antioxidants in it have some powerful health benefits, such as a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.
What is olive oil and how is it made?
Olive oil is an oil obtained by pressing the fruit of the olive tree - olives. The process is incredibly simple, just press the olives and the oil comes out.
However, there is a problem with olive oil. It is not always what you think. Some varieties of olive oil can be extracted by chemicals or diluted with other, cheaper oils.
Therefore, buying olive oil is a very important moment and we need to learn how to recognise quality and real olive oil. The best type of olive oil is unprocessed. It is extracted by natural methods and is standardized for purity and certain sensory qualities such as smell and taste.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a distinctive taste and contains high levels of antioxidants, which is why it is so healthy. In addition, there are light refined olive oils, which use solvents, are treated with heat and are often often diluted with other, cheaper oils, such as soybean and rapeseed oil.
Health benefits of olive oil
Real olive oil is loaded with antioxidants, contains small amounts of vitamins E and K and is a powerful remedy for chronic inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and arthritis.
Olive oil successfully fights inflammatory processes in the body. It is thought to reduce the levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein.
Olive oil relieves pain. The amount of oliocanthal in 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil has an effect similar to 10% of the adult dose of ibuprofen.
Extra Virgin olive oil protects against cardiovascular disease. According to a study on the Mediterranean diet, olive oil reduces heart attacks, strokes and death from them by 30%.
Olive oil also affects blood clotting. It prevents unwanted clotting, which is the main cause of heart attacks and strokes.
Oleic acid, which is contained in olive oil, is highly resistant to oxidation and has a beneficial effect on cancer genes. This explains why people on a Mediterranean diet, have a lower chance of getting cancer.
Olive oil has a beneficial effect on the brain function and protects against Alzheimer's disease.
Can you cook with olive oil?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains mostly monounsaturated fatty acids, which makes it quite resistant to high temperatures. It is very safe, even for cooking at high temperatures.
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