There are so many health benefits of cooking with olive oil…
Olive oil comes from green or black olives, which are about 20 percent oil. This oil, in turn, is composed of about 73 percent heart-healthy monounsaturated oil. The very best quality oil, extra virgin, is cold-pressed from ripe olives grown mainly in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. Olive oil is heart-healthy because it can help to lower LDL blood cholesterol levels or LDLs. This refers to low-density blood lipids linked to heart disease. There are many olive oil health benefits.
Types of Olive Oil
There are several grades of olive oil. A great example of the best extra virgin olive oil is Morocco Gold, a certified extra virgin olive oil. To qualify for the extra virgin rating, the olive oil must:
- Come from one source.
- Be cold pressed without exceeding 82 degrees Fahrenheit
- Sourced from young, fresh olives within 24 hours of picking
- Acid level must be lower than .8 percent
- Have paramount quality in flavor and scent
Olive oil is naturally resistant to heat breakdown. This makes it an excellent cooking oil. However, extra virgin olive oil is also delicious raw. Drizzle it over fire-roasted vegetables. Use it in vinegar and oil salad dressing with herbs and lemon or lime juice. Dip crusty bread in it. There is no limit to what you can do with extra virgin olive oil! Other grades of olive oil include virgin and refined. Although virgin olive oil comes from the first pressing, it is not the same quality as extra virgin at all. The standard for its taste and scent is much lower and may not be consistent. It has a much higher acidity level. Over twice the amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This higher acid level indicates that it is not as stable as extra virgin and won’t have the same consistently great taste that extra virgin oil has.
Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
May Reduce Risk of Type 2 diabetes
Studies have associated olive oil with positive effects on blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. Insulin sensitivity refers to a cells receptiveness to the hormone insulin. Insulin is like an escort, allowing sugars in the blood to enter cells, which then use it for energy. Blood sugar, or glucose, is not supposed to be present in the blood at high levels. When it is, it can damage body organs such as the eyes, kidney, and heart. By increasing cells sensitivity to insulin, olive oil may help to prevent or delay the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
May treat rheumatoid arthritis
This is an inflammatory disease where the body attacks its own joint tissue, resulting in pain, redness, swelling, and stiffness. Olive oil, especially when combined with fish oil, helps to reduce inflammation and may greatly reduce symptoms.
Reduce the risk of stroke
Two very large studies, one with nearly a million participants, revealed that the monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil has a highly protective effect against stroke.
Promotes normal weight levels
Olive oil does not cause weight gain. In fact, a large study connected it with both high blood antioxidant levels and weight loss.
May combat Alzheimers disease
Alzheimers is the buildup of plaques, or lesions, within the brain cells. One study suggested that an ingredient in olive oil may help remove these harmful plaques. Another indicated that olive oil has a beneficial effect on brain function overall.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
To receive the best health benefits of olive oil, be sure you only buy premium brands of extra virgin olive oil. Completely avoid any kind of refined olive oil. These have often been produced using acids and very high heat, both of which can alter the original chemical composition of the oil. Unless it specifically states that it is extra virgin olive oil on the label, there is no way to be sure of its quality and health benefits.
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