There is final recognition from the FDA in the United Sates that Olive oil is good for and can prevent heart disease. Allowing producers to add “qualified health claims” on their bottles is a huge step for olive oil producers. Olive oil producers can now choose to advertise their product as a heart-healthy alternative to animal-based fats for cooking and food preparation.
Italy conducted research into the health benefits of olive oil and came the conclusion that some fats are not just nutrients but also have excellent health benefits and medicinal properties. The amount of olive oil suggested is 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil every day. This consumption is to replace the saturated fats that are already in your daily diet not on top of it, avoiding an increase in your daily calories.
What are the ingredients of olive oil?
High Levels of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and polyphenol compounds are the ingredients that are most likely to give great health benefits. It is the type of fat rather than the total fat content that is important. Diets that are high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids add health benefits as opposed to those diets that only contain polyunsaturated fats.
Olive oil ingredients include Vitamin E , Oleic acid, Carotenoids , Phenols and Squalene, all of which have great health benefits on their own.
Scientific Studies have now concluded that olive oil has tremendous health benefits:
- Reduces inflammation, so can assist with alleviation of rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
- Increases good cholesterol in our bodies so in turn reduces the bad cholesterol.
- Glucose in the body becomes more stable so can assist people with diabetes.
- Improves the dilation of arteries, so reduces blood pressure, improves abnormal heart rhythms and can reducing the risk of attack and stroke.
- Olive oil acts as an antioxidant to prevent oxidation damage to tissues.
Make sure you choose the right olive oil
Extra Virgin Olive oil and Virgin olive oil are the best choices for health benefits as products called olive oil only contain about 10% or virgin olive oil. The best way to incorporate olive oil in your diet is over salads, drizzling over steamed vegetables. There is absolutely no reason why you cannot change your frying oil to olive oil; it changes the flavour of your fried egg to absolutely delicious. Never forget the little black olive, add it to your salads or even sneak some directly out of the container, you will feel and look great.
