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Olive Oil Health Benefits
Easy tips on the olive oil health benefits by a former butter lover, now hocked on olive oil.
There are health benefits of olive oil for the inside of the body as well as the outside and olive oil is used in cosmetics and soaps. And who hasn’t heard of the oil lamp (yes, the type Aladdin found), traditionally fueled by olive oil.
Some Olive Oil Facts
Olive oil has been used, mainly in the Mediterranean for thousands of years, but recently the rest of the world has woken up to the olive oil health benefits.
Olive oil is the oil from the olive tree, which can be very old. (Here on the island of Corfu, Greece where I live there are still olive trees planted by the Venetians 300-400 years ago.)
As much as 95 % of all olive trees grow in the Mediterranean, but also Australia and South Africa cultivate olive trees.
The largest producers of olive oil in Europe are Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal.
How Can Fat Be Healthy?
Oil is 100 %fat and how can that be healthy? That’s the main question among dieters. For many years fat was banned from your diet when you wanted to lose weight.
Now things have changed, but the old automatic aversion to fat is unfortunately still there.
Fat is essential for our optimum health, but it has to be the right, good unsaturated type of fat, not saturated or trans fat. (Yes to olive oil, no to palm oil and coconut oil.)
One group of the unsaturated fats is the monounsaturated fats. That’s the type of fat that helps protect against heart disease as it controls the bad LDL cholesterol levels and raise the good HDL cholesterol levels.
Olive oil is a source of good, monounsaturated fat. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil.
More Olive Oil Health Benefits
Olive oil also does a lot of good to the stomach.
It has a protective effect on ulcers and gastritis and helps lower the incidence of gallstone formation by activating the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones.
Spanish studies are leaning to the conclusion that olive oil in ones diet may prevent colon cancer.
(And maybe you should consider the fact that no side effects come from the consumption of olive oil, contrary to many prescribed drugs.)
How to Choose Olive Oil
Now it’s time to choose the best olive oil for cooking.
Olive oil comes in 7 different grades determined by the International Olive Oil Council (IOOC) a council with 23 state members. More than 85% of the world's olives are grown in IOOC member nations.
When you are buying olive oil look for these labels:
• Extra-virgin olive oil
This oil (cold pressed olive oil) comes from virgin oil production only and contains no more than 0.8% acidity. This is the best olive oil with superior taste. Don’t cook this oil. Use it on salads, added at the table to soups and stews and for dipping.
• Virgin olive oil
Also an olive oil that comes from virgin/cold pressed oil production only, its acidity is higher than the Extra virgin, but less is than 2%. It has a good taste. Use as Extra virgin.
• Pure olive oil
When you see the label Pure olive oil or Olive oil it’s usually a blend of refined and virgin production oil. This oil you can cook.
• Olive oil is a blend of virgin and refined production oil, of no more than 1.5% acidity. This oil lacks a strong flavor.
I’m glad I live in the Mediterranean and have access to first hand knowledge and traditions. I’ve learned to appreciate the olive oil health benefits and ways it makes the food more delicious.
Born in Sweden, I was brought up on butter (yummy, but not as healthy) but now I know how to substitute butter in my cooking with olive oil. It works for most recipes.
With you on the weigh,
Eva
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