Organic Extra virgin Olive Oil Health Benefits
The health benefits of Organic Extra virgin olive oil are
extensive with new positive attributes discovered all the time. One prominent
cardiologist recommends at least three tablespoons of organic extra virgin
olive oil each day to enjoy the many ways olive oil can be beneficial to your
health and well being.
In addition to
bolstering the immune system and helping to protect against viruses, Organic
Extra virgin olive oil has also been
found to be effective in fighting against diseases such as:
Cancer:
The phytonutrient in Organic Extra virgin olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the
effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which can decrease the risk of
breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are among the other
olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer.
Heart Disease: Organic
Extra virgin Olive oil helps lower levels of blood cholesterol leading to heart
disease.
Oxidative Stress:
Organic Extra virgin Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E,
long thought to minimize cancer risk. Among plant oils, olive oil is the
highest in monounsaturated fat, which doesn’t oxidize in the body, and its low
in polyunsaturated fat, the kind that does oxidize.
Blood Pressure:
Recent studies indicate that regular consumption of Organic Extra virgin olive
oil can help decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Diabetes: It has
been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in Organic Extra virgin olive oil,
low in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and soluble fiber from
fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is the most effective approach for
diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving blood
sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity.
Obesity: Although
high in calories, Organic Extra virgin olive oil has shown to help reduce
levels of obesity.
Osteoporosis: A
high consumption of Organic Extra virgin 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.
Organic Extra virgin
Olive Oil Diet Reduces Risk of Type 2
Diabetes
Traditionally a low fat diet has been prescribed to prevent
various diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. While studies have shown
that high fat diets may increase the risk of certain diseases such as cancer
and diabetes, it appears that it is the type of fat that counts rather than the
amount of fat. We now know that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats such as the
ones found in Organic Extra virgin olive oil, nuts and seeds actually protects
from many of these chronic diseases.
A recent Spanish study published in the scientific journal
Diabetes Care showed that a Mediterranean style diet rich in Organic Extra
virgin olive oil reduces the risk of type II diabetes by almost 50 percent
compared to a low fat diet. Type II diabetes is the most common and preventable
form of diabetes.
Organic Extra virgin
Olive Oil Found to Help Prevent Skin
Cancer.
A study conducted by Dr. Niva Shapira from Tel Aviv
University in Israel and Bob Kuklinski of Rockstock University in Germany found
that olive oil, along with other components of a Mediterranean diet, may
contribute to the prevention of malignant melanoma. Malignant melanoma, which is the most
dangerous type of skin cancer, may be slowed down by consumption of Organic
Extra virgin olive oil, which is rich in antioxidants.
The research showed that the body develops a resistance to
the damaging rays of the sun due to carotenoids. Carotenoids are the color
pigments found in fruits and vegetables such as watermelons, tomatoes, pumpkins
and carrots. Olive oil has also been found to protect the skin against the
damaging effects of UV rays.
It is, however, very important that
we distingue between olive oils, the above contributes of olive oils are ONLY
true if we are taking about a certain kind of olive oil namely: Organically
produced Extra virgin olive oil. But there are also differences between the organically
produced extra virgin olive oils. The key olive compounds are oleocanthal and oleacein.
Oleocanthal has anti-inflamatory effect and Oleocein is a powerful antioxidant.
The highest concentration of these key compounds is found in Koroneiki organically
produced extra virgin olive oil.
Furthermore there are other factors that
affect the quality of the organically produced extra virgin olive oils:
Processing temperature is another factor affecting oleocanthal and oleacein
levels.
When we test the same olive fruit in
the same olive mill but using different temperatures you can see a huge
difference in the concentration of these compounds, with high temperature
having negative effects.
There is as well a positive link
between early harvesting and high level of both compounds.
Organically produced extra virgin
olive oils with high level of oleocanthal and oleacein retain most
of this content up to 18 months after the harvest.
The first photos shows organically produced extra virgin olive oil just pressed by cold extraction, green gold fresh fruit juice.
Second photo: The olive sort Koroneiki, which has the highest concentration of the key compounds of olive oil namely Oleocanthal and Oleacein. The olives on the photo has just turn the exact colour of dark purple to be ready for harvesting.
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