Olive Oil Benefits
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Olive oil benefits are quite well-known particularly due to their heart-friendly properties. The people of the Mediterranean extensively use olive oil in their diets and this region's low incidence of heart disease has been largely attributed to this.
 Olive oil is the fatty liquid extracted from the olive fruit (olea europea). This fruit comes from the tree native to the Mediterranean areas encompassing Italy, Greece, Israel, Syria, Croatia, Lebanon, Turkey, Spain and Portugal.
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Olive oil is the main form of cooking oil used in the Mediterranean countries. It also used as dressing for vegetable salads and as a dip for savory foods.
In addition to its use in the culinary field, olive oil has been used for a variety of medicinal, ceremonial and religious purposes throughout history. Ancient Greek athletes are said to have rubbed olive oil all over their bodies prior to competitions in the hope of better performance. The Greek epic poet Homer, perhaps in recognition of its valuable properties, dubbed olive oil as "liquid gold".
Olive oil is produced by grinding olive fruits into paste form and then extracting the oil by mechanical or chemical means.
Olive oil is composed mainly of monounsaturated fatty acids, namely the mixed triglyceride esters of oleic acid and palmitic acid and other fatty acids. There are traces of squalene and sterols. This composition depends on cultivar, region harvested, altitude, time of harvest, and extraction process. This health food also contains related natural products that have potent antioxidants. It also contains considerable levels of omega-6 fats, vitamin E and vitamin K.
This health food is usually classified into the following:
Extra virgin olive oil - is the least processed of all olive oil types. It contains very minute acidity, and is evaluated as having "superior taste". It is typically used on salads. Virgin olive oil - comes from the second pressing of the olives. It contains higher acidity levels than extra virgin olive oil but still very low levels nonetheless. It is evaluated as having a "good taste". Pure olive oil - usually obtained through a combination of refined and virgin production oil. Olive oil - is a combination of virgin and refined production oil. It has little acidity but is adjudged as lacking a strong flavor. Olive pomace oil -refined pomace olive oil often blended with some virgin oil. It has a more neutral flavor than pure or virgin olive oil. Lampante oil - mostly used in the non-consumer food segment. Refined olive oil - is the olive oil obtained from virgin olive oils by refining methods that do not lead to alterations in the initial glyceridic structure.
The following are the olive oil benefits that may be derived from eating this superfood:
Olive oil may help lower the risk of coronary heart diseases. Olive oil may help lower the risk for strokes. Olive oil may help lower the LDL or bad cholesterol levels while raising the HDL or good cholesterol levels in the body. Olive oil may help lower blood pressure. Olive oil may help lower the risk for formation of gallstones. Olive oil may help lower the risk of certain forms of cancer. Olive oil may help lower the risk for Alzheimer's Disease. Olive oil, when topically applied, is said to help moisturize the skin and contribute to youthfulness of appearance. |
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