Top 5 Interesting Facts about Olive Oil that You may not Know

As a nation, we are alert to whatever appears in the news on the latest health information. Trends seem to appear and there is a sudden craze for a miracle product. This pattern has a tendency to focus on the new, while disregarding some tried and true healthy facts. One of the historically healthy items that we tend to overlook is the incredible benefits of olive oil.

A study published by the New England Journal of Medicine has substantiated the long known claim of extra virgin olive oil as a mainstay health product. Researchers around the world have been touting olive oil and the Mediterranean diet as part of a healthy lifestyle for many years. Consuming olive oil can help to lower the risk of heart disease, lower the cholesterol level and assist in controlling insulin levels within the body. Consuming more than four tablespoons per day has shown an excellent result for those that may be suffering from these disorders.

Olive oil is packed with a kind of antioxidant called polyphenols. This assists in protecting your cells from damage. Certain polyphenols also have anti-inflammatory properties and scientists around the world are investigating the potential benefits that they may have on digestive and bone health, as well as potential cancer prevention.

Selecting the right olive oil is more than picking up the container at the store. Investigate reporters have been finding that some that are labeled as ‘extra virgin olive oil’ are actually low quality oils that contain artificial coloring. The term ‘virgin’ equates to the fact that the oil is made with a physical process, and not chemically made. European laws are very strict about this, but the U.S. does not have that kind of enforcement. Once you select a true extra virgin olive oil, it is important to store it in a bottle made from dark green glass or another material that offers protection from light. Both light and heat can damage the oil through oxidation.

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/26/health/five-things-olive-oil/index.html?hpt=he_bn8

The information supplied in this article is not to be considered as medical advice and is for educational purposes only.