Virgin Olive Oil

Benefits of Virgin Olive Oil In Your Diet

For years we've been told that fat is bad for us. This led to nearly every product becoming a 'lite' version. Reduced fat was the catch phrase. While we still know that getting too much fat in our diet is not healthy, we are now encouraged to choose the fats we take in. As a matter of fact we now know that some fats are absolutely good for us!

One of the foods that is pure fat that is actually beneficial to your health is virgin olive oil. This type of oil has great health advantages over other types of fat. On top of this, virgin olive oil has a nice flavor and is versatile for use in the kitchen.

When using the oil fresh as on salads or bread, or for sautéing, extra virgin olive oil should be your choice. This oil has the best flavor and the highest amount of monounsaturated fats which are the “good fats”. In cooking, virgin olive oil is a better option as it withstands heat better and doesn't have particles in it that can burn as in extra virgin olive oil.

So we know that virgin olive oil is not bad for you, but exactly what are the olive oil benefits? The beneficial fatty acids found in olive oil have been linked to reduced incidence of coronary heart disease. The phenols in the oil also help to protect the heart. Oils high in polyphenol have the effect of making the arteries more elastic. This means less stress on the heart which leads to lower risk of both heart attacks and stroke!

Olive oil has the effect of lowering cholesterol levels in the blood rather than increasing them, as in animal fats. Both blood sugar levels and blood pressure are also lowered with the intake of olive oil.

In regions that consume olive oil and olives regularly (daily) in their diet there is a lower recorded rate of both heart disease and stroke, which is likely because of their consumption of those products. Also, the longest living woman claimed that one of her secrets of longevity and youthful looks was her intake of olive oil on her foods as well as rubbing it into her skin.

Switching out some of the “bad” fats in your diet for virgin olive oil is a simple way to improve your health and still get good flavor in your food. Apart from its great use in food, extra virgin olive oil is also hypoallergenic and very good for your skin!

It's no wonder olives and the oil pressed from them has been used for ages. Its use goes back over 5,000 years. Beyond consumption, it has been an integral part of religious rituals, fuel in lamps, soap making and skin care for almost as long, right up until today!

 

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