Health Benefits of Olive Oil

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Health Benefits of Olive Oil

http://www.apollooliveoil.com/health.html

 

Extra virgin olive not only imparts wonderful aromas and flavors to

foods of all kinds it also provides the following remarkable health

benefits.

 

Supermarket olive oils have less than 50mg/liter of polyphenols.

 

Very good extra virgin olive oils have 100mg to 250mg/liter.

 

Apollo olive oil has been tested to have up to 700mg/liter.

 

The polyphenols found in olive oil are antioxidants that prevent

cell damage from oxygen-containing chemicals called free radicals

which accounts for its ability to protect against many diseases

including cancer.

 

Polyphenols also greatly contribute to the elasticity of arterial

walls thus protecting against heart disease and stroke.

 

Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that contains polyphenols and

certified extra virgin olive oil is the only olive oil that contains

a significant quantity of polyphenols.

 

Polyphenols also help protect the oil while it is being heated

which, contrary to rumor, make extra virgin olive oil excellent for

cooking.

 

Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat which is much better for the

heart than saturated fats, but it is this combined with the high

level of polyphenols of extra virgin olive oil that creates the real

benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

 

The health benefits of the Mediterranean diet were first discovered

in the 1950's and have withstood 50 years of rigorous scientific

study. Extra virgin olive oil is an essential component of this

diet.

 

Extra virgin olive oil is the only vegetable oil that does not go

through chemical processing - peanut, safflower, and canola oil all

go through chemical processing to remove toxic substances which

leaves these oils flavorless.

 

Extra virgin olive oil is the only vegetable oil that that is edible

right after pressing. This is called 'Olio Nuovo'. Very healthy and

potent. You can get it fresh off our presses during our harvest

festival.

 

Olive oil begins to break down when it is exposed to light therefore

it is best to purchase extra virgin olive oil that is bottled in

dark glass.

 

Below are websites where additional health information and studies

can be found.

 

http://www.living-foods.com/articles/oliveoil.html

http://www.oliveoilsource.com/oliveoildr.htm

http://www.eat-

online.net/english/education/olive_oil/health_benefits.htm