An excellent source of Vitamin E, olive oil is widely used in cooking throughout the globe. It was originated in the Mediterranean mainly produced in Greece, Spain and Italy. Generally, the hotter the country, the more robust the oil. It has ample of benefits to possess a quality health. A product which has been proved as an effective agent for lustrous hair, glowing skin, and a healthy body. It has actually tremendous results beyond cooking or personal care, health improvement, natural remedies and others areas. This oil is a blessing for digestive system and is gentle. Olive oil is extracted by the pressing of olives. The most expensive with high degree of merits is extra virgin olive oil. It is best for cooking. Virgin oil is infused after the second pressing. Unsurprisingly, high heat can damage the flavours and the nutrients in the oil.
The high consumption and demand of olive oil is relative to monounsaturated fatty acid(MUFA). Butter and other oil is rich in (PUFA) which is harsh over the heart. Olive oil therefore wards off heart diseases. This oil is great as it is associated with the benefit of coming from a renewable resource rather than from ground.
Heart health
Olive oil has been proved the best option for heart. It does not involve any harm such as high cholesterol and so is adopted worldwide, especially by the Mediterranean who hold a prime position in making the smart choice in what they eat. Olive oil induces a reduced risk of heart hazard and stroke. It is also found through a study that people who are eating more of olive oil enriched diet, their blood tends to clot less easily.
Relaxation from blood pressure
It has been proved by the scientists of Italy that people who are indulged in cooking with olive oil avoids blood pressure and thereby medicines to cure that same. The blood pressure of olive oil consuming population is less than those digging over sunflower or other oils. The results are high with tremendous benefits associated with the olive oil based diet. It is because olive oil contains polyphenol chemicals, which are assumed to bolster nitric oxide levels. It is responsible for supporting arterial health thus controlling the blood pressure.
Vanish cholesterol
Olive oil consumption is related to low fat levels. In day to day life, our body extracts oil from the oil we consume. Opting for olive oil is always a wiser decision to avoid the bad cholesterol we are affected with. Olive oil appears to inhibit the oxidation of LDL, a chemical reaction that leads to the formation of arterial plaque.
Reduces the risk of cancer
It has been an eye driving fact, that a healthy diet and a stringent routine is always responsible to drive you off from the major and minor health risks. Health is wealth, we all are aware about this fact. But do we implement that too in our lives? Cancer has been a hitting agent targeting people from all walks of life. Adapting a diet which can help in maintaining distances from the severe diseases can do a lot of wonders. Olive oil is one such smarter way of remaining healthy. According to research, olive oil can ward off colon cancer. It is helpful for breast cancer.
Avert arthritis
According to a Greek study, a diet rich in olive oil is strongly beneficial for avoiding rheumatoid arthritis. People who ate less olive oil is supposed to get more RA than those who are in regular intake of olive oil enriched diet.
A blessing for skin
An inexpensive source, which can renew your skin and give it a lustrous look, you can find it easily in your kitchen. Switching to olive oil is helpful in various ways, from skin to hair, minor to major problems. It is wonderful to miraculous changes. Olive oil is responsible for inhibiting changes in skin’s DNA, which may result in skin’s wrinkles and skin cancer.
There is no best choice to adapt except a remarkable change in making a smarter choice.
Uses of olive oil
Herbs and spices can be used to flavor olive oil by steeping it in the oil for at least 10 days or more. In case you are using chili then the time needed will reduce. It should be noted that olive oil is not suggested to use for cooking. You can use it by putting it on salad or any other food. The structure of extra-virgin olive oil and the high amount of unsaturated fats make it very likely to suffer from oxidative damage if used for cooking. In the time of cooking use coconut oil rather than going for olive oil, or any other vegetable oils, butter, margarine or any other oils. Several surprising usefulness of olive oil includes healthy skin. This oil has been used to moisturize the skin because of it having linoleic oil for centuries now. You can consume the oil directly, massage it on your skin or can have a warm bath to by adding water. Olive oil is also a natural and safe lubricant for shave and also a relieving aftershave (put an extra teaspoon of it after washing it off). If you make a balm out of it by mixing it with melted beeswax maintaining a ratio of 1:1, then it can also restore chapped lips.
Composition of olive oil
There is 100 grams of fat in one hundred grams of (3.5oz) of olive oil, among which 77 grams of fat is monounsaturated, 8.4 grams polyunsaturated and only 13.5 grams saturated. The large amount of unsaturated fats in olive oil, it is very much prone towards oxidative damage. Extra virgin olive oil is only short-lived when used cold which is a major drawback. The chlorophyll content in it increases decomposition and thus the oil very quickly goes rancid.
How to make olive oil
Mediterranean region are masters in the art of making olive oil for more than thousands of years. Every producer can have their own unique way of looking after the tree and producing the oil. The trees need to be matured for many years for it grows olives. The leaves, twigs and stems are removed after picking of olives and washing it. Then the processing of extracting oil and water starts, which is later on separated. For preventing the breakdown of olive oil before it is bottled and shipped, it is being kept in containers of stainless steel in about 65 degree Fahrenheit. Expert growers and producers are only allowed to extract the oil from olives. But if you want you can enjoy olive-oil by adding it in your salads or some no-cook recipes. Here is a recipe given which you can try:
Thyme chicken salad
Ingredients
2 cups of dark-meat chicken, cooked and chopped
1/2 cup of raw cashews
2 chopped stalks of organic celery,
Handful of organic freshly chopped small Italian parsley (you can also use curly parsley)
2 teaspoons of fresh thyme, chopped
1/3 cup of red onion, chopped
1/2 cup to 1 cup fresh, raw cream
1/2 teaspoon prepared mustard
A dash of organic olive oil
2 tablespoon of lemon juice
Preparation
- Take a medium sized bowl and put chicken, cashews, celery, parsley, thyme and onion in it.
- Add juice of lemon, raw cream and mustard (it’s a secret ingredient).
- Then add splash of organic olive oil.
- Mix it well.
