There’s no doubt that Olive Oil has become a major part of the modern diet of any health conscious person. I know I have some every day with my salad and I consider it one of the constants of my diet.
But what are the real health benefits of olive oil? How does it affect your body? Why does it need to be extra virgin olive oil? I will try to answer all these questions in this short article.
Olive oil is considered a healthy fat. In fact, it is one of those fats that you can feel comfortable consuming (in moderation, of course) even as you’re trying to burn fat and shed some pounds.
Olive oil is made up of a number of fatty acids. About 75% of these fats is oleic acid, a mono-unsaturated fatty acid.
The main difference between extra virgin olive oil and the regular kind is how they’re made. Extra virgin oil is created by pressing of olives in a direct process. Regular olive oil under goes heating or the use of solvents. It is recommended that you buy Extra Virgin. Although it is more expensive, the difference in quality is well worth the price gap.
Due to the less intensive production process, extra virgin olive oil is rich in phenols, which are powerful antioxidants. It is the content of phenols that helps to make olive oil reduce inflammation in your body. In addition, olive oil can help you to improve circulation and reduce blood clotting.
It has also been shown that EOVV can help you to reduce risk of heart disease, lower blood pressure, and improve symptoms of diabetes and high cholesterol.
Naturally, olive oil should not be consumed without moderation. It is still a calorie rich food. However, it is still a healthy fat that can be part of any diet plan you choose to follow.
