Olive Oil Facts

Adam and I had a discussion about olive oil last night, and I don't think very many people use it that much. It is a little more expensive than other oils such as canola or vegetable oil, but well worth the money for your health. I have a SAMS membership and buy it in huge bottles at a time and it is a lot cheaper to do it that way. I rarely use anything but olive oil when cooking unless I'm frying.

Types of olive oil:

Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
Virgin - from the second pressing.
Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavor.

When buying olive oil you want to obtain a high quality extra virgin oil. You will get the most for your money and your body.

Health Benefits

The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil, and it is a prime component of the Mediterranean Diet. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is, freshly pressed from the fruit.

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs.

Olive oil has not only been proven to protect against heart disease, but colon cancer as well.

So stock up on olive oil and stay healthy!