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The Health Benefits of Olive Oil
The Health Benefits of Olive Oil
Source: Global Healing Center
Olive oil, like wine, has been around forever. For people of the Mediterranean, it has had
medicinal, even magical powers through the ages. The olive tree is considered a symbol of peace
and glory.
Olives were first cultivated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean around 5000 B.C. Cultivation
spread to Turkey, Greece, and Egypt before it reached southern Italy, Africa, and southern France.
Italy was producing olive oil by the first century A.D.
Olive oil was used in medicines and different ointments. It was also used for nourishment and as an
overall healing agent.
Today, Italy, Spain, and Greece produce olive oil, and California, with its Mediterranean climate, is
fast becoming a leading producer. Like wine, many different varieties of olive oil have their own
unique characteristics taken from the land and weather conditions.
Consumption of olive oil in the U.S. is at an all time high, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re still
confused about the differences between regular or pure olive oil and olive oil that’s classified as
virgin, extra virgin, and cold pressed. So, here’s a quick lesson in the different types of olive oil:
Basically, these designations are the grades of oil extracted from the olive. The classifications are
strictly regulated. The regulation is somewhat different according to the country of origin.
Types of Olive Oil
Regular or Pure Olive Oil
Regular or pure olive oil has been chemically refined and filtered to neutralize both undesirable
strong tastes and acid content. This olive oil is of lower quality and usually the least expensive.
Virgin
Virgin means the olive oil was produced without any chemical additives, so it contains no refined oil.
It has an acidity that’s less than 2%, so it tastes better. Virgin refers to the fact that the olive oil has
been less handled or manipulated during processing.
Extra Virgin
Extra virgin olive oil comes from the first press only and is the highest quality olive oil with perfect
flavor, aroma, and balanced acidity. This olive oil is less processed than Virgin olive oil and is very
delicate in flavor. It’s perfect for salad dressings, marinades, and for dipping bread.
Cold Pressed Olive Oil
Cold pressed olive oil is an unregulated label description. Back when olive oil was pressed the
second time using hot water and steam to extract the last drop, the heat during the second
pressing took away the delicate flavors. Today, premium olive oil is cold pressed, which means the
olive paste is gently warmed to room temperature to avoid losing taste and pressing is done in
winter, when it’s cold, to further retain flavor.
My opinion is that the best olive oil you can buy is organic cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. That’s
what I personally use.
Health Benefits of Organic Olive Oil
Organic olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, and is considered a good fatty acid (high density
lipoproteins, HDLs) protect against bad cholesterol, or low density lipoproteins (LDLs).
Delicious organic olive oil contains all the vitamins and nutrients of the olive fruit, and if you get a
premium organic olive oil, it will taste better and have a full aroma.
Organic olive oil is also filled with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that may protect you against
illnesses. Studies have shown that organic olive oil can help:
Protect You from Heart Disease [1]
Promote Healthy Digestion [2]
Ease the Symptoms of Ulcers & Gastritis [3] [4]
Lower Gallstone Formation [5]
Balance the Fatty Acids in Your Body [6]
Scientific studies show that people eating two tablespoons of virgin organic olive oil daily for one
week show less oxidation of LDLs and higher levels of antioxidants in their blood.
If you use extra virgin organic olive oil, you will benefit from higher levels of antioxidants, especially
vitamin E and phenols, the same compounds found in grapes, because the olive oil is less
processed.
7 Common Uses of Organic Olive Oil
Besides what I’ve already mentioned above, you can find many surprising ways to use your organic
olive oil.
1.Cooking – Start using organic olive oil for cooking or as a replacement whenever a recipe calls
for butter.
2.Body Oil – Rub it on your body or face after washing. You don’t need a lot to get great skin
moisturizing benefits. You might even trying shaving with it or using it to remove makeup.
3.Control Hair Frizz, Dry Cuticles & Nails – Just comb a drop of organic olive oil through your hair to
control flyaways and frizz. Rub it into nail cuticles and nails for a naturally polished look.
4.Control a Nagging Cough or Scratchy Throat – Swallow a tablespoon to soothe a dry or irritated
throat.
5.Shine Stainless Pots & Pans – Organic olive oil will prevent streaking and tarnishing and naturally
condition your pots and pans.
6.Lip Balm – Organic olive oil is the perfect lip balm to keep chapped lips at bay. It’s also great to
use on your hands as a soothing hand lotion in winter.
7.Bath Oil – Add a few drops of organic olive oil to the water you’re running for your bath. The
benefits to your skin will be obvious even after the first time you use it.
Did you know? Every sacred text from the ancient Near East (now the Middle East) is filled with
mentions of olive oil. This product propelled the economy of the ancient world and was thought of
as liquid gold. Ancient Olympic athletes rubbed it on their bodies before they competed because
they believed it gave them strength and youth.
Related Articles:
The Benefits of Coconut Oil
Olive Oil – A Definition of Standards & Health Benefits
Source: Global Healing Center
Olive oil, like wine, has been around forever. For people of the Mediterranean, it has had
medicinal, even magical powers through the ages. The olive tree is considered a symbol of peace
and glory.
Olives were first cultivated in the eastern part of the Mediterranean around 5000 B.C. Cultivation
spread to Turkey, Greece, and Egypt before it reached southern Italy, Africa, and southern France.
Italy was producing olive oil by the first century A.D.
Olive oil was used in medicines and different ointments. It was also used for nourishment and as an
overall healing agent.
Today, Italy, Spain, and Greece produce olive oil, and California, with its Mediterranean climate, is
fast becoming a leading producer. Like wine, many different varieties of olive oil have their own
unique characteristics taken from the land and weather conditions.
Consumption of olive oil in the U.S. is at an all time high, but I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re still
confused about the differences between regular or pure olive oil and olive oil that’s classified as
virgin, extra virgin, and cold pressed. So, here’s a quick lesson in the different types of olive oil:
Basically, these designations are the grades of oil extracted from the olive. The classifications are
strictly regulated. The regulation is somewhat different according to the country of origin.
Types of Olive Oil
Regular or Pure Olive Oil
Regular or pure olive oil has been chemically refined and filtered to neutralize both undesirable
strong tastes and acid content. This olive oil is of lower quality and usually the least expensive.
Virgin
Virgin means the olive oil was produced without any chemical additives, so it contains no refined oil.
It has an acidity that’s less than 2%, so it tastes better. Virgin refers to the fact that the olive oil has
been less handled or manipulated during processing.
Extra Virgin
Extra virgin olive oil comes from the first press only and is the highest quality olive oil with perfect
flavor, aroma, and balanced acidity. This olive oil is less processed than Virgin olive oil and is very
delicate in flavor. It’s perfect for salad dressings, marinades, and for dipping bread.
Cold Pressed Olive Oil
Cold pressed olive oil is an unregulated label description. Back when olive oil was pressed the
second time using hot water and steam to extract the last drop, the heat during the second
pressing took away the delicate flavors. Today, premium olive oil is cold pressed, which means the
olive paste is gently warmed to room temperature to avoid losing taste and pressing is done in
winter, when it’s cold, to further retain flavor.
My opinion is that the best olive oil you can buy is organic cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil. That’s
what I personally use.
Health Benefits of Organic Olive Oil
Organic olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, and is considered a good fatty acid (high density
lipoproteins, HDLs) protect against bad cholesterol, or low density lipoproteins (LDLs).
Delicious organic olive oil contains all the vitamins and nutrients of the olive fruit, and if you get a
premium organic olive oil, it will taste better and have a full aroma.
Organic olive oil is also filled with antioxidants, vitamins and nutrients that may protect you against
illnesses. Studies have shown that organic olive oil can help:
Protect You from Heart Disease [1]
Promote Healthy Digestion [2]
Ease the Symptoms of Ulcers & Gastritis [3] [4]
Lower Gallstone Formation [5]
Balance the Fatty Acids in Your Body [6]
Scientific studies show that people eating two tablespoons of virgin organic olive oil daily for one
week show less oxidation of LDLs and higher levels of antioxidants in their blood.
If you use extra virgin organic olive oil, you will benefit from higher levels of antioxidants, especially
vitamin E and phenols, the same compounds found in grapes, because the olive oil is less
processed.
7 Common Uses of Organic Olive Oil
Besides what I’ve already mentioned above, you can find many surprising ways to use your organic
olive oil.
1.Cooking – Start using organic olive oil for cooking or as a replacement whenever a recipe calls
for butter.
2.Body Oil – Rub it on your body or face after washing. You don’t need a lot to get great skin
moisturizing benefits. You might even trying shaving with it or using it to remove makeup.
3.Control Hair Frizz, Dry Cuticles & Nails – Just comb a drop of organic olive oil through your hair to
control flyaways and frizz. Rub it into nail cuticles and nails for a naturally polished look.
4.Control a Nagging Cough or Scratchy Throat – Swallow a tablespoon to soothe a dry or irritated
throat.
5.Shine Stainless Pots & Pans – Organic olive oil will prevent streaking and tarnishing and naturally
condition your pots and pans.
6.Lip Balm – Organic olive oil is the perfect lip balm to keep chapped lips at bay. It’s also great to
use on your hands as a soothing hand lotion in winter.
7.Bath Oil – Add a few drops of organic olive oil to the water you’re running for your bath. The
benefits to your skin will be obvious even after the first time you use it.
Did you know? Every sacred text from the ancient Near East (now the Middle East) is filled with
mentions of olive oil. This product propelled the economy of the ancient world and was thought of
as liquid gold. Ancient Olympic athletes rubbed it on their bodies before they competed because
they believed it gave them strength and youth.
Related Articles:
The Benefits of Coconut Oil
Olive Oil – A Definition of Standards & Health Benefits