In the ancient world, olive oil was considered “liquid gold” by Homer and “the great healer” by Hippocrates. But how can just one ingredient be so powerful?
Both Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern cuisines are considered to be the healthiest of cuisines mainly due to extra virgin olive oil, which is proven to have many health benefits, being a key element of their dishes.While all varieties of olive oil can be found on the market, research indicates that extra virgin olive oil has more health benefits than other types such as standard olive oil or virgin olive oil. This is because antioxidants and bioactive compounds found in olives are preserved in extra virgin olive oil.
Furthermore, we can't stress enough the importance of choosing an organic, extra virgin olive oil. It defeats the purpose of using anti-oxidant-rich olive oil if it's full of pesticides and toxins. Consuming organic olive oil not only provides all the benefits of the nutrients and anti-oxidants, it also ensures that you're bringing the purest and highest quality oil into your body and cells. For this reason, it is key to be able to properly identify the right type of olive oil. Therefore, we recommend double-checking labels to ensure you're getting authentic organic, extra virgin olive oil. Reading ingredient lists and looking for quality certification is always a good idea. MANNI oil is Toscano PGI certified organic and we partner with the University of Florence to check the potency of our anti-oxidants every harvest.
Now that you know that extra virgin olive oil is the variety of oil that better preserves antioxidants, let’s see what this implies with its 10 direct health benefits:
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Reduces heart diseases
Natural olive oil has a monounsaturated fatty acid content of 70%. As a result, cholesterol levels in the blood are lowered, and heart problems are reduced. Additionally, olive oil lowers the risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis.
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Anti-inflammatory properties
Oleocanthal is a phenolic compound present in extra virgin olive oil that is thought to be responsible for the burning or tingling feeling noticed when tasting good extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil's phenols have anti-inflammatory properties, and as a result, they may have effects similar to pain relievers and fever reducers. The oleocanthal also removes beta-amyloid plaques from the brain, which can help prevent Alzheimer's disease and destroy cancer cells.
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Improves hair and skin health
Vitamin E is abundant in extra virgin olive oil. Vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant that can protect the body against eye and skin problems and actually make hair and skin healthier, is included in around 1.9 mg per tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. It's also been proven that it helps to protect against diabetes, neurological disorders.
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Reduce and protect against diabetes
A diet high in olive oil, low in saturated fats, moderately high in carbohydrates, and soluble fiber from fruits, vegetables, pulses, and grains has been shown to be the most beneficial for diabetics. It improves blood sugar regulation and insulin sensitivity while lowering “bad” low-density lipoproteins.
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Improves cholesterol levels
Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides are all reduced by olive oil. LDL cholesterol is the bad kind, and it raises the risk of heart attacks and pulmonary heart disease. Extra virgin olive oil, which contains nearly 40 antioxidant chemicals, aids in the reduction of LDL cholesterol oxidation.
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Boosts your metabolism
Children's metabolism, bone formation, and brain development are all boosted by olive oil. It's high in vitamin E, which is particularly beneficial to the elderly.
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Fights against depression
Olive oil, for example, has hormone-balancing and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent neurotransmitter dysfunction. Low-fat diets are often related to an increased risk of depression and anxiety.
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Slows natural aging process
Olive oil, which is high in antioxidants, helps to slow down the body's natural aging process. It works wonders for the skin, giving it a natural shine and glow. It's used in cosmetic products and natural herbal therapy.
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Helps in weight loss
Despite its high-calorie content, olive oil has been shown to aid in the reduction of obesity. According to medical experts, the mono-unsaturated fats contained in olive oil make it difficult to gain weight. Experiments with Mediterranean olive oil have shown promising results in terms of weight loss in humans.
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Protects against osteoporosis
High consumption of olive oil appears to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and so plays an important role in aiding sufferers and in preventing the onset of Osteoporosis.
Extra virgin olive oil has amazing benefits for us, so make sure you pick the right olive oil next time to see how liquid gold improves your health while giving a unique flavor to your dishes.