Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits
The Italians know the importance of a good quality olive oil!
Let’s talk about olive oil! We recently took a trip to the Tuscan countryside of Italy. Besides the beauty all around, one thing that was constant with every meal was the amount of extra virgin olive oil they consume. The flavor and taste of good olive oil will make you want to put it on everything! Even drink it! The Italians drench their bread in it, use it for their dressing on salads, top over meats and pastas, cook and roast vegetables with it and even take it as a shot solo!
All olive oils are not the same. There are certain things to look for when buying olive oil. First, you need to buy extra virgin olive oil that is cold pressed. It is important that it is cold pressed because that means it has been squeezed right from the olive and as not undergone any heat treatments that would break down the amazing natural qualities that it contains. You also want to look at the date of the harvest. An olive oil should be consumed within 18 months of the harvest date. It is important to store it in a dark cool space so that the sunlight will not damage the nutritional value. Lastly, if you are using an olive oil dispenser have a metal spout with a top to prevent oxygen from getting inside, which can alter taste and quality when stored. When buying extra virgin olive oil in the states, I would recommend buying organic and look for a product of Italy or Greece.
When we came home from our trip, we realized we needed more extra virgin olive oil in our lives not only because of the taste of the quality we had experienced, but also the countless health benefits of regularly consuming this liquid gold.
Benefits of extra virgin olive oil include.
Cardiovascular health- helping with preventing the LDL(bad) cholesterol and reducing inflammation
The healthy fats and fatty acids help with weight loss
High antioxidants (containing many polyphenols, which are chemical compounds found in plants)
Healthy skin and hair because of the high levels of Vitamin E
Helps protect the brain and improve memory because of the amount of mono-saturated fat it contains, which is about 75%!
Healthy strong bones
Consuming a shot of olive oil on an empty stomach can help digestion and constipation in the morning
Help stabilize blood sugar throughout the day
Cool fact: EVOO contains oleocanthal, which works like ibuprofen for reducing inflammation!
***We met the kindest Italian, Alessandro Capitoni, at a picnic lunch in a tuscan countryside olive grove, where we sampled his beautiful extra virgin olive oil. The best we tasted in Italy! We will be getting his olive oil shipped to the states to help consume and add great quality EVOO into our daily lives and feel like we have a taste of Italy and the fond memories we had meeting him in our kitchen. If you are interested in learning more about his extra virgin olive oil follow him on instagram at alessandro.capitoni
source: benefits of extra virgin olive oil- openAI June2024
