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.

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