Tuesday, May 21, 2013


 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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