Healthy properties

Characteristics

Olive oil is a monounsatured fat composed most of triglicerides and fatty acids, they are: oleic acid (62% very healthy) linoleic acid (15%), palmitic acid (15%) and the stearic acid (2%).

Olive oil contains a unsaponifiable fraction (between 1-2%) with a high concentration of antioxidant active ingredients: phenolic compound, chlorofyll, Vitamin E, phytosterols for an anti-inflammatory activity and squalene, one of the most important compound in the human topical skin.

The evoo is made only through mechanical processes and the drupes are cold-pressed. the oil is fluid with a dinstinct scent, yellow-to-green colour.

During childhood, the evoo supports the body growth, it helps the process of myelination of brain and the bone formation. It also prevents the infections.

Evoo reduces the risk of heart disease, it has anti-aging properties for the skin and the bone since olive oil is rich in Vitamin E and helps to reduce osteoporosis and fractures.

It also contains beta carotene (provitamin A), vitamin E and vitamin K and many anti-oxidant agents such as phenolic compounds, with the highest percentage of oleic acid (62%) which is the richest monounsatured fatty acid, long-chained molecules of human body. It has also nourishing and smoothing properties.

The oleic acid helps to reduce inflammation since it contains fatty acids such as Omega-6 and Omega-3. Monounsatured fats in olive oil are heat- resistant, for this reason olive oil is a healthy ingredient while cooking.

Olive oil is rich in anti-oxidant agents which help to protect from free radicals, inflammations and it also helps to lower cholesterol, thus it prevents obstructive coronary artery disease.

"It is the gray-leaved olive tree, a tree that nurtures our youth"

-Sophocles - Oedipus at Colonos-

8 Benefits of evoo

Lower cholesterol and blood pressure

Only two spoons of evo per day helps to lower LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein - called "bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides and helps to balance the LDL and HDL ratio. A regular use of evoo reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Anti-inflammatory properties

Low-grade inflammation is a chronic response to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, obesity and then arthritis and diabetes. The oleic acid, the main fatty acid in olive oil helps to reduce inflammation, a similar anti-inflammatory effect of drugs, but without any side effects.

Protection against heart disease

Evoo protects against heart disease, the top leading cause of death in the world. It improves the activity of the outermost layer of blood vessels and prevents the blood coaugulation into the coronary artery. It also helps to lower blood pressure.

Prevent the development of Alzheimer's

Studies find out how the oleocanthan, a natural phenolic compound in evoo, helps to reduce the cognitive impairment connected to the neural losses arisen with the aging. It tends to remove the amyloid plaques in the brain cells, one of the main cause of neurocognitive disorder.

Against weight gain and obesity

Evoo is not connected to weight gain and obesity, on the contrary it develops beneficial effects: evoo helps to increase the anti-oxidant agents in blood, promoting the weight loss.

Type 2 Diabetes prevention

The monounsatured fatty acid in the oil helps to reduce the glycemia and improves the insulin levels. The Mediterranean diet includes an high consumption of evoo, which reduces significantly the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

Against Rheumatoid arthritis

The anti-inflammatory properties of evoo with the Omega-3 fatty acids reduce the oxidative stress caused by rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disease that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in the joints.

Antibacterial properties

The antibacterial properties in the evoo are highly effective against Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium found in the stomach, responsible for ulcer and stomach cancer.

"Pains: oil, inside and outside"

-Proverb-

Healthy drops

Since ancient times, extravirgin olive oil was largely used for its therapeutic value, here some interesting beneficial remedies. S. Cognoli, L.Squadrilli, "Lo straordinario mondo dell'olio extravergine di oliva" (LSWR Edition)

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic practice used for improving dental health and oral hygiene, since damaging bacteria usually depositate in the mouth. This practice is also used to soothe headache and asthma, even diabetes.

Oil pulling is the act of swishing olive oil (1 or 2 teaspoon) in the mouth for 20 minutes and then spitting it out, without gargling.

The Ayurvedic medicine suggests seed oils, such as sesame or sunflower oil, but extravirgin olive oil is better for its anti-inflammatory properties.

Olive tree leaves infusion

All the components of the olive tree, leaves and fruits, have precious antioxidant and digestive properties.

Since ancient times, the infusion of olive tree leaves was used by the Medical School of Salerno to lower blood pressure and nowadays reaserchers have developed extracts of olive tree leaves for the same beneficial use.

The infusion has been used to prevent the growth of bacteria and cure infections, so it may improve the immunitary system. The leaves have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties and its hypoglicemic effects helps to control diabetes.

Marinade

A useful cooking method is the marinade: fish or meat is left in extra virgin olive oil before it is grilled in order to make it softer and a particular taste, but also marinade prevents the damaging effects during grilling.

Prof. Sacchi together with the University of Lund (Sweden) have demonstrated that the antioxidant substances in evoo reduce the developlment of carcinogenic compounds arising from the rosting due to the degradation of the proteins.

The reasearch has demonstrated that roasted or fried fish and meat in evoo have very low damaging compounds.

Extra virgin olive oil and Digestion

Extra virgin olive oil has a strong and full-bodied taste, but never "heavy" for digestion. Extra virgin olive oil contains a lot of oleic acid, which stimulates the contraction of gall-bladder and improves the biliary excretion, a very important process of digestion.

Evoo is also considered a "protective" food in case of gastroesophageal reflux, it protects the intestinal mucosal barrier and it reduces the risk of cancer, such as the colon cancer.

Many nutritionists recommend to drink every morning a table spoon of evoo mixed with lemon juice, in order to stimulate the intestinal functions.