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Dear Reader,
Olive
oil has been heralded as a health-boosting substance for thousands of
years and recent scientific studies have further substantiated its
beneficial qualities. Most doctors recommend lowering total fat and
calories in your diet and substituting butter, margarine and vegetable
oils with healthy fats like olive oil.
Extra
virgin olive oil is one of the few oils that can be eaten without
chemical processing. Fresh pressed olive oil can be eaten immediately
and will retain its natural flavors, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
and other healthy properties of the ripe olive fruit. Many researchers
believe that olive oil’s health benefits may spring from the 30 plant
compounds that it contains.
Extra
virgin olive oil imparts delicious aromas and flavors to foods of all
kinds while providing significant health benefits. Some of those
include:
- Promotes healthy bones
- Increases “good” cholesterol and lowers “bad” cholesterol
- Reduces blood pressure
- Inhibits the growth of certain cancers
- Contributes to the elasticity of arterial walls, which can provide protection against heart disease and stroke.
- Helps the body maintain a lower weight.
- Helps control blood sugar levels in diabetics
Unlike
other fats, which are associated with a higher risk of colon cancer,
olive oil helps protect the cells of the colon from carcinogens. A
study published in a recent issue of Food Chemistry Toxicology suggests
that antioxidants in olive oil reduce the amount of carcinogens formed
when meat is cooked.
The
body uses the healthy fats in olive oil to produce natural
anti-inflammatory substances. These anti-inflammatory agents can help
reduce the severity of both asthma and arthritis. They can also keep
membranes more fluid and enable the body to move waste products more
easily. A lower incidence of osteoporosis and
dementia is found in areas of the world where people consume large
quantities of olive oil.
Many
consumers get confused about the different grades of olive oil. Extra
virgin olive oil is by far the best because it is produced from the
first pressing of the olives. It has the lightest flavor and contains
the most concentrated amounts of antioxidants. The next pressing of the
olives produces fine virgin olive oil, in which chemicals are used to
extract the oil. Pure olive oil is a blend of
refined and virgin olive oils. Look for the words “cold pressed” on the
bottle because that means heat was not used when the oil was extracted
from the olives. Since heat destroys antioxidants, cool pressed is
preferable.
Exposure
to light and heat can turn olive oil rancid and that will destroy the
antioxidant properties. Always buy olive oil in darkly tinted bottles.
When you get the oil home, put it in a dark, cool place for storage to
protect its healthy properties.
Using
olive oil is a delicious way to promote good health. Only Mother Nature
herself could have produced something so healthy and delectable. Take
advantage of this natural miracle to enhance your family’s health.
Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch
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