Olive Oil for Health

Olive oil is regarded as a nutritious and health giving substitute to other available oils. Olive oil is the juice obtained from the olive fruit and is probably the only vegetable oil that can be consumed freshly pressed from the fruit. It can be consumed without refining. This helps in the conservation of all nutrients like fatty acids and vitamins. It is used in cooking, cosmetics and as fuel in lamps. It can be used in salads and as salad dressings. It is healthiest oil with 0 % cholesterol and has a high content of mono unsaturated fats (mainly oleic acid) and anti oxidant poly-phenols. The goodness of this oil is mainly due to its high content of both monounsaturated fatty acids and anti oxidative substances. The most important feature of olive oil is that it offers protection against heart diseases by raising the good cholesterol or HDL and by lowering the bad cholesterol or LDL. Olive oil has also been found to be very effective in lowering formation of gall stones. It is also stomach friendly and has a beneficial effect on gastritis and ulcers.

Keeping this oil does not alter its properties like aroma, taste or the nutrients. It is an important part of the Mediterranean diets and now very popular all over the world. Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures used the fruit of olive trees for not only cooking purposes but also as moisturizers and healing oils. Research also indicates that people also live longer and have lower incidence of heart diseases because of their regular use of Olive oils, which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels. The extra virgin oil which is obtained from the first pressing of the fruit contains a higher level of anti oxidants and is probably the only vegetable oil that can be had or used freshly pressed from the fruit. It is extracted from ripened olives and the flavor ranges from bland to strong flavors. Its grading also depends on its degree of acidity and its extraction process.

Olive oil is available in different forms depending on the stages of processing it undergoes.

Extra virgin oil – obtained from the first pressing and has the highest nutritional value and taste

Virgin oil – obtained from the second pressing of the fruit

Pure Olive oil – is a blend of cold pressed virgin oil and refined virgin oil that has been treated with chemicals and then heated and filtered.

Olive Pomace oil – is also a blend of refined olive oil and some virgin oil.

Lampante oil – is not for consumption. It is used in industries and lamps as fuel.

Health benefits

Lowers heart diseases and reduces LDL (bad cholesterol)

Regular use olive oil, the extra virgin oil, provides a constant supply of anti oxidants which helps to reduce oxidative damage by arresting lipid peroxidation, (oxidative degradation of lipids) which is one of the causes of heart diseases and cancer.

The poly-phenols present in the olive oil are potent anti oxidants which help arteries to dilate helping to lower blood pressure.

Has anti inflammatory benefits – studies have shown lower incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma with regular use of olive oil. The poly-phenols also prevent bone loss involved in osteoporosis.

Cancer prevention –Studies also suggest that the mono unsaturated fats can protect against breast cancer. Constituents of olive oil like flavoroids, squalene and poly-phenols (anti oxidants) exert protective effect skin, breast and colon cancer, as these anti oxidants help prevent cell damage.

Olive oil is also beneficial for skin and hair. Dry and sun damaged skin can be improved by the application of live oil.

Olive oil is also helpful for preventing ulcers and gastritis. It activates the secretion of bile and helps lower incidence of gall stones.

Armed with all the above mentioned benefits, olive oil is considered to be a good investment for your overall health. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best oils available for cooking and its daily consumption can act as an effective remedy to ward off harmful diseases. A diet high in plant sources and the use of extra virgin oil as your primary source of dietary fat can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Because it is very flavorful it can be used in salads, beans, pasta, stir fries, sautés and breads.

While buying olive oil for cooking, opt for extra virgin olive oil rather than virgin or pure olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is obtained from the first pressing of top grade olives and has high nutritional value. It is advisable not to deep fry with this oil as high temperatures can alter its chemical make up.

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	Home > Olive Oil for Health
	Olive Oil for Health Olive oil is regarded as a nutritious and health giving substitute to other available oils. Olive oil is the juice obtained from the olive fruit and is probably the only vegetable oil that can be consumed freshly pressed from the fruit. It can be consumed without refining. This helps in the conservation of all nutrients like fatty acids and vitamins. It is used in cooking, cosmetics and as fuel in lamps. It can be used in salads and as salad dressings. It is healthiest oil with 0 % cholesterol and has a high content of mono unsaturated fats (mainly oleic acid) and anti oxidant poly-phenols. The goodness of this oil is mainly due to its high content of both monounsaturated fatty acids and anti oxidative substances. The most important feature of olive oil is that it offers protection against heart diseases by raising the good cholesterol or HDL and by lowering the bad cholesterol or LDL. Olive oil has also been found to be very effective in lowering formation of gall stones. It is also stomach friendly and has a beneficial effect on gastritis and ulcers. Keeping this oil does not alter its properties like aroma, taste or the nutrients. It is an important part of the Mediterranean diets and now very popular all over the world. Ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman cultures used the fruit of olive trees for not only cooking purposes but also as moisturizers and healing oils. Research also indicates that people also live longer and have lower incidence of heart diseases because of their regular use of Olive oils, which helps to reduce blood cholesterol levels. The extra virgin oil which is obtained from the first pressing of the fruit contains a higher level of anti oxidants and is probably the only vegetable oil that can be had or used freshly pressed from the fruit. It is extracted from ripened olives and the flavor ranges from bland to strong flavors. Its grading also depends on its degree of acidity and its extraction process. Olive oil is available in different forms depending on the stages of processing it undergoes. Extra virgin oil – obtained from the first pressing and has the highest nutritional value and taste Virgin oil – obtained from the second pressing of the fruit Pure Olive oil – is a blend of cold pressed virgin oil and refined virgin oil that has been treated with chemicals and then heated and filtered. Olive Pomace oil – is also a blend of refined olive oil and some virgin oil. Lampante oil – is not for consumption. It is used in industries and lamps as fuel. Health benefits Lowers heart diseases and reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) Regular use olive oil, the extra virgin oil, provides a constant supply of anti oxidants which helps to reduce oxidative damage by arresting lipid peroxidation, (oxidative degradation of lipids) which is one of the causes of heart diseases and cancer. The poly-phenols present in the olive oil are potent anti oxidants which help arteries to dilate helping to lower blood pressure. Has anti inflammatory benefits – studies have shown lower incidence of rheumatoid arthritis and asthma with regular use of olive oil. The poly-phenols also prevent bone loss involved in osteoporosis. Cancer prevention –Studies also suggest that the mono unsaturated fats can protect against breast cancer. Constituents of olive oil like flavoroids, squalene and poly-phenols (anti oxidants) exert protective effect skin, breast and colon cancer, as these anti oxidants help prevent cell damage. Olive oil is also beneficial for skin and hair. Dry and sun damaged skin can be improved by the application of live oil. Olive oil is also helpful for preventing ulcers and gastritis. It activates the secretion of bile and helps lower incidence of gall stones. Armed with all the above mentioned benefits, olive oil is considered to be a good investment for your overall health. Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best oils available for cooking and its daily consumption can act as an effective remedy to ward off harmful diseases. A diet high in plant sources and the use of extra virgin oil as your primary source of dietary fat can reduce the risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Because it is very flavorful it can be used in salads, beans, pasta, stir fries, sautés and breads. While buying olive oil for cooking, opt for extra virgin olive oil rather than virgin or pure olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is obtained from the first pressing of top grade olives and has high nutritional value. It is advisable not to deep fry with this oil as high temperatures can alter its chemical make up. Back