Impressive Benefits From Including Certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil In A Diet

By Francis Riggs


More and more consumers are discovering benefits from including olive oil in their diets. Yet surprisingly that many people do not fully understand the difference between certified extra virgin olive oil and other oils on the market.

As the most superior grade, by definition this level of produce has to be derived from fruit harvested for the specific purpose of producing olive oil. No ingredients can be added or taken from other sources. Cold pressed extraction of the oil through mechanical components ensures that the chemical structure of the oil cannot be altered through heating or other chemically driven extraction processes.

One of the main reasons these oils are of superior quality is because the fruits are harvested when they are perfectly ripe. It is easy to claim all manner of untruths on product labels and some get away with this kind of fraudulent behavior. Producers of repute go to the effort and expense of ensuring their products comply with industry standards and are certified as such. In the US this is likely to be the California Olive Oil Council and International Olive Council in the rest of the world.

Looking for filtered oil is always a good idea. Unfiltered oils become affected by the particles of fruit and juices that may enter during the process. This will bring on premature aging and the taste will deteriorate over product lifetime. Quality also worsens due to excessive exposure to light. For this reason top producers use dark glass in the bottling process. As with all fresh produce, look for an expiry date, good quality products will always have one.

Getting back to the benefits, these will vary from one individual to another, but may include the following. The most common recognized benefit is in the effect of reducing bad LDL cholesterol. It is polyphenols present within the oil, the only vegetable oil to have it, that causes this. They are also effective antioxidants.

As an aid to enhance metabolic rates it could be utilized to improve digestion that may also promote more regular stomach movements. It promotes the formation of sound bone structure and brain development. Polyphenols, mentioned previously, are also active in combating inflammation which is an additional plus for the cardiovascular system.

Also of great significance are theories exploring the role of a substance called plasma oleic acid. This is thought to play a role in reducing strokes among the elderly. Whilst research into this aspect is ongoing, it is thought to act by making the arteries more elastic and flexible. This line of thought has expanded in recent times to include Alzheimer disease in so far as that oleic acid may also influence the formation of plaque in the brain.

Research conducted at the University Medical School in Naples, reported that diets rich in olive oils have been seen to lower blood sugar levels and allowed patients to regulate insulin levels more effectively. Considering that many of the conditions mentioned are becoming increasingly common in modern society, there might be more to the use of this very different vegetable oil than meets the eye.




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