Using Certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil In A Diet Offers Advantages

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.

Representing the premier level, the fruit has to be selected specifically for purposes of creating olive oil only and adding oil from different production streams is not allowed. Processing takes place by mechanical means which is often called cold pressed processing. This is important because it means no chemical or heat treatment, which may affect the molecular structure of the oil, may be used.

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.

Filtering and storage are additional matters that will affect how fresh the oil keeps and tastes. No or insufficient filtering allow the fruit juices and skins to remain and after a while will worsen the taste and reduce storage time. As regards packaging, dark glass is preferable as it lessens the influence of light which reduces product life as does heat. It is always a good idea to check for a product expiry or best before date. If there is not one present an alarm should ring so rather find one that does.

Going back to plus points, although these will vary from one person to the other, the following are prominent. The most widely discussed beneficial occurrence is the reduction in LDL or bad cholesterol that may come about. The only vegetable oil to contain polyphenols, it is this compound that brings this about. In addition they perform effectively as an antioxidant.

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.

The University Medical School in Naples researched the lowering influence of enriched olive oil diets on blood sugars and reported improved control over insulin levels. Interestingly this simple offering from nature could play a major role in fighting some of the major health issues that are starting to become major problems in the western world.




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