Few crops have roused such continuing interest, intellect or passion as the olive and its precious golden oil. Research is also showing that olive oil is good for you, with results indicating olive oil has a positive preventative effect on cancer, obesity, ageing and more.
The type of fat you consume and the fatty acid composition of your diet has a direct impact on your health. All fats, whether solid or liquid, are made up of a certain quantity of monounsaturated, polyunsaturated and saturated acids, which are a rich source of energy. But the type of fat we consume has been shown to have a direct bearing on the incidence of a wide range of diseases.
Extra virgin olive oil has a healthy composition in terms of the fats that make it up. Olive oil contains large amounts of oleic acid, which is a monounsaturated fat. Besides being a monounsaturated fat, extra virgin olive oil, because it is a completely natural untreated food, is rich in antioxidants and vitamins and contains no cholesterol.
On account of its content of oleic acid, antioxidants, sterols and vitamins, olive oil has a positive effect on diseases as diverse as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis, skin disease, high blood pressure, ageing, cognitive decline and senile dementia.
When choosing olive oils it is important that you ensure you get what you are paying for. Good, fresh extra virgin olive oil has more of the health-giving properties than other grades of olive oil. Visit our tasting section to learn how to spot a real ultra premium extra virgin olive oil.
