4 Important Things You Should Know About Olive Oil
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Important Things to Know About Olive Oil
Most of us have heard that olive oil is good for us - we know it's the "good oil," but few of us know why and how it benefits our bodies.
1. Health Benefits
Studies have shown it's benefits heart disease by controlling LDL cholesterol levels while raising HDL cholesterol levels. By eating only two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day for one week a significant difference can be caused in cholesterol levels.
Spanish researchers have shown through their studies with rats that olive oil has colon cancer prevention benefits. In fact, they found that olive oil kept colon cancer rates down nearly as well as fish oil.
2. Properties
The main properties of olive oil that are so beneficial is it's high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and high content of antioxidants. It's protecting abilities offer help to ulcers and gastritis. It also lowers the formation of gallstones because it activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones.
While all olive oil is healthy, extra virgin olive oil contains the highest level of antioxidants such as vitamin E because it is less processed, less pressed.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: comprised from the first pressing of olives and considered the best olive oil.
Virgin Olive Oil: from the second pressing.
Pure Olive Oil: some processing such as filtering and refining.
Extra Light Olive Oil: considerable processing and retains a mild olive flavor
The less the olive oil is handled the better quality and health benefit it retains. It should be kept in a cool dark location to keep it from becoming rancid. And here's some really good news, the quality is not hampered when used for cooking. Only if the oil reaches a smoke point of 410 degrees F is it harmed.
3. Hair Benefits
Olive oil nourishes and conditions the hair and scalp. It also helps with the elasticity and strength of the hair. Here is an easy hair treatment.
1/4 cup olive oil
5 drops (any) essential oil
1 plastic bag large enough to fit over the head
Combine the olive oil and essential oil into a jar, shake well. Set in dark, cool place overnight. Shake again before using.
Rinse hair with warm water. Using about a tablespoon of the oil mixture poured into your hand rub it through your hair all the way to the ends. Repeat as needed.
Put the plastic bag over your head and secure it with a clip, leaving it for a half hour. Rinse well and shampoo.
Alternative Treatments
4. My Favorite Recipe
Tomato and Basil Pasta
Ingredients
1 - 16 oz pkg penne pasta
3 roma tomatoes, diced
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup fresh basil, cut into thin strips
1 small can sliced black olives
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
Sea salt & pepper to taste
Cook pasta per package instructions. In a large bowl combine pasta and remaining ingredients, toss and serve. Easy-peasy.
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Amen! It's the only thing I cook in, and I put a tiny bit into everything I possibly can... and a lot into pesto sauce. Yummy!
PS: Olyve Oyl was a glam-rockin, head banger way ahead of her time: She used 'y's instead of 'i's in her name.
Thanks for stopping by Bob.
A suoer hub Karen - I wish I had known the hair tip before I lost mine!
Most interesting stuff - keep it up.
Sorry PJ, not sure it helps with hair loss.
Karen great hub, I take a tablespoon of olive oil in the morning along with lemon juice keeps my stomach healthy. I also use olive oil for cooking, it tastes good too. Thanks.
Karen great hub, I take a tablespoon of olive oil in the morning along with lemon juice keeps my stomach healthy. I also use olive oil for cooking, it tastes good too. Thanks.
I tried Olive oil once but Popeye got mad at me.....jimmy
Thanks cgull and jimmy for stopping by.
Thankds Decrescendo.
Olive oil rocks! Use it all the time many different ways. But not all olive oil is created equal.
You are so right. Thanks for stopping by Rob.
I love olive oil. And it truly is an amazing natural gift
oh the health benefits of olive oil are never ending it really is versatile, studies are showing it prevents arthritis, breast cancer, it is even said to prevent acne
Blind Destiny and Italianoliveoil - thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Just the information I was looking for. Thank you for the detailed information.
Karen,
Nice hub, well written and loved the pasta recipe, take care of yourself.
Hey Rodney, good to hear from you.
Thanks for stopping by crazybeanrider.
thanks for the info about olive oil
the hair process is a bit long procedure :P
so if i use extra virgin oil for ma cooking oil will it be better than Coconut oil ?
Extra Virgin Olive oil is a natural and perfect God given oil, for constipation, hair, skin rejuvenation, cooling body temperature, gall stones and so much! Please don't let EV Olive oil run out of stock in your kitchen. its first aid for many health issues. be blessed.
Olive Oil is at the top of my health food list. I love reading about the benefits and uses. The photo of Olyve Oyl is great. Thanks for such a good hub.
Didn't know about the hair benefits of olive oil, learnt something new there. Olive oil is healthy for sure. Thanks for sharing this hub. Voted up and rated 'useful.'
Just want to set everyone straight on something. There is no such thing as cold pressed or first pressing of olive oil. They have not used a pressing technique in many many years to extract the oil. Olives are either crushed or scored with sharp knives then put into a centrifuge after being harvested. Cold pressed is just a marketing ploy. When you buy olive oil look for one that is cold extracted. Also vigin and extra virgin oil has nothing to do with first or second pressed, again they donot press olives any more to extract the oil. Acidity, flavour, viscosity, and cost are the main differences between Extra Virgin and Virgin grades of olive oil. Acidity is the most influential factor in the final grading process. The current limit for 'Extra Virgin Olive Oil' is 0.8% acidity (0.8g per 100g). If the acidity level is higher than 0.8%, but less than 2.0% (2.0g per 100g) it qualifies as 'Virgin Olive Oil'. This elevated acidity level is due to the timing of the producer's harvest. Olives harvested later on in the season are more mature than those harvested at earlier dates. This maturity level correlates directly with the acidity level of the olives. So extra virgin means harvested earlier, virgin harvested later.
Is EVO good for cancer
Bob Ewing Level 3 Commenter 3 years ago
good tips, thanks