Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits

To put it simply, Extra Virgin Olive Oiil (EVOO) is the gold standard of olive oils, if not all plant based oils. Virgin, or pure oils, have been shown to not have the same benefits as EVOO.

The criteria for defining an Extra Virgin Olive Oil can get a bit technical, but basically, it means that the olives have been crushed within 72 hours of picking and that it has been cold pressed (extracted by a mechanical process without heat) without the use of chemicals or solvents – this is important because when an oil is heated and chemically treated, it strips it of the antioxidants and polyphenols that make it so healthy.

Why is EVOO considered healthy?

High intakes of EVOO has been linked to longevity of certain Mediterranean peoples despite the amounts of grains and dairy they consume. Some Southern European populations in Greece, Spain and Italy consume over 20 litres of oil per person annually, this is compared to an average of 1 litre in the UK.

EVOO has been shown to contain over 30 polyphenols and countless other flavoids and chemicals, particularly the beneficial fatty-acid oleic acid. This has been shown in studies to have positive effects on heart health and the brain, despite it being a fat (its the type of fat that matters). In many ways the humble olive oil is a true superfood.

It's worth noting that while Olive Oils generally are better for us than seed based alternatives the more pure and 'virgin' the oil the more beneficial compounds it contains. So if you want to add more of the benefits of olive oil to your diet then be discerning, stick to extra virgin oil and the closer it is to when it was picked (not bottled) the better. 

Olive Oil Uses

1. Use it daily in the kitchen

The fresh, fruity taste of our Olive Oils is perfect in salad dressings, or in marinades and rubs for meat, poultry and seafood. Use it every day to roast, sauté and in baked goods. Drizzle over steamed greens, into soups or enjoy in pasta dishes.

Most cooking (frying, roasting and baking) is done below the smoke point of a good Extra Virgin Olive Oil (about 200 degrees), which means you won’t be producing any harmful chemicals when cooking with it – just don’t use it for deep-frying. The health-giving antioxidants can be reduced during prolonged heating, but many remain intact. Cooking vegetables in Extra Virgin Olive Oil will actually help you absorb the antioxidants and vitamins in the vegetables. Even if you do tend to burn your food a bit  on balance the benefits of EVOO will possibly outweigh the negatives that come with using other seed based oils and their high smoke points.

 2. Great for skin 

Olive oil can be very soothing and moisturising when applied to the skin, especially dried hands and feet.

Try soaking your feet in warm water before bed, patting them dry with a towel and then applying olive oil to both feet. You can even wear socks afterwards to keep the oil in and to stop it from getting on your sheets!

 3. Olive Oil in your Coffee anyone?

Fun fact - did you know Starbucks has an olive oil coffee range - the Oelator? Why? Many do it because they like the flavour and smooth consistency when combined with the coffee, offsetting the acidity. While others add it for the beneficial properties of olive oil, think 'bulletproof' coffees with coconut oils add for beneficial MCTs.

 

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