Top Reasons to Love Olive Oil

Some of us have never been introduced to the culinary life Mediterranean style. It's never too late, however, for that discovery. The benefits are many. We can consider at least four reasons why olive oil belongs in your life.

Olive Oil Everywhere

When in Italy you probably will not be served butter with that beautiful bread. Typically butter has other purposes. In a restaurant - excuse me: ristorante - or even a café - chances are if you must have something to go with that bread, it will be olive oil. Many have distinct flavors, created by infusing herbs and different kinds of fruit or spices with the olives.

Extra Virgin, Virgin and just Olive Oil - what does it all mean?

In the first place this oil is a natural product. There is a process for releasing and capturing the oil that has been almost the same for thousands of years, using just about the same techniques. You can feel the excitement in understanding the presence of the fragrant and tasty oil from olives in human society since ancient times.

The differences between Extra Virgin and Virgin involve acidity. Basically there is a standard, a grading process for the olives. Extra Virgin Olive Oil - nicknamed by some as EVOO - means pressed with no heat, no chemical usage, no treatments. That's why it is known as cold pressed! - and has a lower percentage of acidity.

Lifestyle and Health Benefits

In simple language, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is known to play a part in:

* Lowering bad cholesterol
* Acting as a powerful anti-oxidant
* Reducing the risk of certain cancers.

Studies continue to show you can be healthier incorporating this magical oil into your life, gaining a lifestyle that has all these advantages. And it tastes good too, mixing it in with many kinds of foods both cooked and uncooked.

Cooking with Olive Oil

Go ahead and cook with it. Eggs, too? But of course. Butter is not mandatory. So sizzle up your French toast, oil your pan for an omelette and add a dollop to rice while it's steaming. Using it to prepare meat, seafood, vegetables and fish will result in food that is healthy and delicious.

You Didn't Expect This One

In the kitchen, while you are in the heat of your bubbling pots, take advantage of any drips from the olive oil bottle by wiping them up with your hands; it's a treat to your skin. There you have another great benefit: a spa treatment while cooking!

Olive Oil is marvelous for hair and skin and is used in natural remedies. When you shop for it, take the time to read the labels carefully. Some bottles labeled as Virgin are often blended with canola and other oils. That's okay sometimes, but reach for the real thing! Get ready for the good life - you'll see.

I'm Rebecca Ferndell, a food enthusiast, and I'd like to share what I continue to learn about cooking, food, health and recipes too. Visit me at http://www.dishingfood.blogspot.com

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Olive Oil In Diet Better Than Whole Grain Bread

For those who want to live a healthy lifestyle, new research has shown that the daily use of Olive Oil in your meal is especially beneficial. In fact the use of Olive Oil seems to be even more beneficial then eating an extra slice of whole wheat bread. This is the outcome of research by members of the John Hopkins University on a comparison between three “health diets”.

An Olive Oil rich diet lowers the blood pressure and the Cholesterol level much more then a carbohydrate rich diet. Compared to a protein rich food an olive oil rich diet is easier to digest.

Scientists from the John Hopkins University have researched the DASH-diet. (Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension). This diet has been developed a few years ago to aid people with high blood pressure problems. The researchers have compared DASH to two alternative diets and have published their conclusion in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The DASH diet contains a lot of carbohydrates. You eat muesli for breakfast, whole grain bread for lunch and pasta for dinner. This is combined with fish, chicken and nuts and olive oil.

The other two diets tested are a protein rich and a carbohydrate rich variation of the DASH diet, but with no olive oil.

All three diets did lower blood pressure and cholesterol significantly but the diet that contained the olive oil stood out as the most effective. It lowered blood pressure and cholesterol just a bit more. And these factors are an important determinant of the long-term onset of cardiovascular disease.

All participants in the research reported that it was fairly easy to comply with each of these diets. But the participants in the protein rich variety complained more often about digestive problems and as a result of that they tended to be less physically active then the control group.

So this is an outcome that supports the Mediterranean Diets with their high Fish (Omega 3 fatty acids) and Olive Oil content even more.

Hans is author at http://www.steaks-guide.com/ Visit us for more health related recipes and articles

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hans_Dekker

Anti-Aging Effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Dropping a significant amount of weight can help you look years younger. In addition to losing pounds, eating certain foods also has a positive effect on the aging process. According to scientists from the University of Florence in Italy, extra-virgin olive oil produces such positive effects.

The properties that gives olive oil its anti-aging effect are called polyphenols. These are a group of chemicals found in plants that are believed to have antioxidant characteristics. As such they are able to fight chemicals called free radicals that have been linked to aging. They also help with immune system breakdown, heart disease, and cancer.

From their findings, researchers concluded that extra-virgin olive oil was able to help promote healthier aging by protecting cells from free radicals that are produced naturally during metabolism. On a side note, researchers found that it also had a protective effect on blood pressure.

Using Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

To make use of the oil, here are a few suggestions.

1. Store it in cool place Heat has a detrimental effect on the oil by causing in to spoil faster. So, when storing, do not place it above your stove. To make sure it has a long lifetime, store it in a cool dark place, as light also spoils the oil.

2. Temperature for cooking All oils have a smoke point, which is the temperature at which the oil begins to decompose and smoke is given off. Compared to other oils such as corn oil, olive oil has a low smoke point. So when cooking with the oil, stay below 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

3. Spend Wisely Some olive oils are very expensive. However, just because you spend more does not mean that you are getting better quality. If the oil is from a trusted brand, then the quality is probably high. Besides quality, the ultimate indicator is going to be taste.

So, to sum things up, to slow down the aging effect, add extra-virgin olive oil to your diet. If you do, age for you may truly be nothing more than a number.

Check out the latest news and information on diets, weigh loss products, and exercise at http://www.How-to-Burn-Fat.com

In addition to reporting on the latest information regarding diet and weight loss research, the site is updated daily with advice and guidance on ways to burn fat quickly. Plus, learn how green tea can help you lose more weight.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C_White

Anti-Aging Effects of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Dropping a significant amount of weight can help you look years younger. In addition to losing pounds, eating certain foods also has a positive effect on the aging process. According to scientists from the University of Florence in Italy, extra-virgin olive oil produces such positive effects.
The properties that gives olive oil its anti-aging effect are called polyphenols. These are a group of chemicals found in plants that are believed to have antioxidant characteristics. As such they are able to fight chemicals called free radicals that have been linked to aging. They also help with immune system breakdown, heart disease, and cancer.
From their findings, researchers concluded that extra-virgin olive oil was able to help promote healthier aging by protecting cells from free radicals that are produced naturally during metabolism. On a side note, researchers found that it also had a protective effect on blood pressure.

Using Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

To make use of the oil, here are a few suggestions.

1. Store it in cool place Heat has a detrimental effect on the oil by causing in to spoil faster. So, when storing, do not place it above your stove. To make sure it has a long lifetime, store it in a cool dark place, as light also spoils the oil.

2. Temperature for cooking All oils have a smoke point, which is the temperature at which the oil begins to decompose and smoke is given off. Compared to other oils such as corn oil, olive oil has a low smoke point. So when cooking with the oil, stay below 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

3. Spend Wisely Some olive oils are very expensive. However, just because you spend more does not mean that you are getting better quality. If the oil is from a trusted brand, then the quality is probably high. Besides quality, the ultimate indicator is going to be taste.

So, to sum things up, to slow down the aging effect, add extra-virgin olive oil to your diet. If you do, age for you may truly be nothing more than a number.

Check out the latest news and information on diets, weigh loss products, and exercise at http://www.How-to-Burn-Fat.com

In addition to reporting on the latest information regarding diet and weight loss research, the site is updated daily with advice and guidance on ways to burn fat quickly. Plus, learn how green tea can help you lose more weight.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_C_White