Here are the benefits of extra virgin olive oil, a high-quality product exported all over the world and the epitome of the Mediterranean diet. It’s no secret! We all know that we need to eat healthy and natural products to live well and enjoy good health.
Behind a healthy diet is always a varied and diverse diet. The fact that fruits and vegetables are natural and healthy foods is nothing new. But there are many other foods with beneficial properties for our health that we often forget to list. This includes olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is such a valuable food that it has been nicknamed “green gold” or “yellow gold” since ancient times. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about the cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, its benefits, and its use in cooking.
Extra virgin olive oil is the typical fat of the Mediterranean diet. Its use is a true culture, and its exceptional properties are recognized. Used by the peoples of the Mediterranean since ancient times, it is now widely appreciated and exported worldwide as a top-quality product.
Olive oil is obtained by pressing olives, the fruit of the olive tree. It is a typical Mediterranean plant, believed to have originated in Asia Minor. In fact, this ancient plant has its roots in Greek mythology and has always been a symbol of prosperity and peace.
Research around the world repeatedly shows that extra virgin olive oil increases a protein called ApoA-IV. The purpose of this protein is to regulate platelets, cells that prevent bleeding, but whose excessive accumulation can lead to a heart attack or thrombosis.
But it’s not just a panacea for blood pressure. In fact, it is beneficial for many other aspects of our physical well-being.
Extra virgin olive oil is able to regulate blood sugar levels by controlling insulin secretion from the pancreas, but also by regulating the sensitivity of cells to the action of insulin itself. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for diabetes prevention.
Numerous scientific studies demonstrate that extra virgin olive oil can play a fundamental role, not only in preventing high blood pressure but also in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients. Phenolic compounds are believed to be responsible for this effect.
Olive oil prevents the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
It is the polyphenols in olive oil that determine its beneficial effects on the brain. A diet based on the consumption of olive oil as a condiment helps reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Valuable aid against hypercholesterolemia.
Olive oil is very rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. 100 grams, for example, contains more than twice as much as sunflower oil. Its fatty acid composition makes it one of the most suitable condiments for people with high cholesterol. In fact, it helps control LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) without negatively affecting HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol).
The beneficial effects of olive oil on the intestines
Extra virgin olive oil has a soothing and calming effect on the gastrointestinal tract thanks to the natural action of oleic acid. The polyphenols it contains also give itAnti-inflammatory properties, especially in conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome and colitis. These polyphenols act on the molecules of oxidative reactions and on inflammatory cytokines, exerting antioxidant effects.
It is a very digestible food. Thanks to its laxative properties, it contributes to the well-being of the stomach and intestines.
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. They exert an anti-inflammatory effect on our body. In fact, many researchers have discovered that olive oil not only prevents cardiovascular diseases but also has a protective function against the immune system. This also helps prevent many autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus erythematosus. But also inflammations such as psoriasis and irritable bowel syndrome.
Extra virgin olive oil is an effective anti-cancer agent, and its antioxidants prevent the growth of cancer cells. Oleic acid, the monounsaturated fat par excellence found in oil, blocks the activity of proteins that produce brain tumors. This oil is also said to reduce the incidence of breast and colon cancer.
The benefits of this extraordinary food are not limited to our physical well-being. In fact, they also extend to our appearance. The role of extra virgin olive oil in processes related to cellular aging is well known. This is due to its content of monounsaturated fatty acids and various bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties.
Packs containing pure olive oil release antioxidant, emollient, and nourishing components that are absorbed by our bodies and have beneficial effects.
Extra virgin olive oil is at the heart of the Mediterranean diet, where life expectancy is higher thanks to the diet. In countries where extra virgin olive oil consumption is highest (Italy and Greece), people actually live longer. Not surprisingly, it’s also called the “elixir of life.”
It prolongs life because it’s rich in polyphenols, which prevent and combat many age-related diseases. Consuming extra virgin olive oil in your daily diet means choosing a long life!
The best way to use olive oil in our dishes to get the most out of its composition is to use it raw. In fact, all the vitamins and antioxidants it is rich in are preserved. It would therefore be better to simply prepare the food and then season it with oil.
Even if we have to choose a cooking oil for eating, olive oil is undoubtedly the best because it has a fairly high smoke point. Contrary to what many people think: yes, you can also use it for frying! When oils are exposed to high temperatures, they release potentially toxic compounds. Each oil has its own temperature, the so-called smoke point, at which oxidation phenomena and chemical reactions occur, releasing harmful compounds.
Olive oil has a fairly high smoke point because it contains many more stable monounsaturated fats. Furthermore, the antioxidants it contains make it more resistant to these processes. This is why olive oil is ideal for frying and is preferable to other vegetable oils!
Important Note: aceitedelcampo.com promotes the consumption of extra virgin olive oil for its culinary qualities and health benefits. However, no medication or current treatment should be replaced without the guidance of a healthcare professional.
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