You probably regularly use olive oil in your dishes. Whether you use it to bake your potatoes or to garnish a salad, olive oil is very versatile. Did you know that it also has many health benefits?
In this article, we look at all the health benefits of olive oil and how it’s made.
How do you make olive oil?
Olive oil is, as you might expect, made from olives. They are processed within 24 hours of harvesting. Here the twigs and leaves are removed and the olives are washed. Both the kernels and the meat are ground during the making of olive oil. This gives you a special taste.After pressing, the oil goes into a large centrifuge that spins the liquid at high speed. This separates the water from the oil, leaving you with pure oil. This can be packed and goes to the store.
The so-called ‘extra virgin’ oil is so-called because is the oil that comes from the first pressing. With “normal” oil, the olives are heated extra to get the last bits of oil, but more nutrients are lost as a result. Extra virgin oil does not use heat, so the oil retains all the good substances.
Is olive oil healthy?
Some people swear that fatty foods are unhealthy, but nothing could be further from the truth. You need good fats for a healthy body. Olive oil contains these fats, making it a healthy option for cooking as long as you don’t use too much. Often 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil are more than enough. Your body doesn’t need more. Olive oil also has several health benefits. You can read this below.1. It is high in antioxidants
Olives are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin E. This vitamin is an antioxidant that helps your body fight inflammation and cell damage.
2. It Contains Healthy Fats
As we mentioned earlier, olives contain a lot of healthy fats that are good for the body. For example, research has shown that olive oil can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
3. It can prevent obesity
Although fat is often associated with being overweight, this oil can help maintain a healthy weight. This is partly due to a large number of antioxidants.
4. It can protect you from harmful substances
Olives contain many substances that kill harmful bacteria, such as Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that causes stomach ulcers. The oil kills this bacteria and ensures a calmer stomach.
5. It reduces the risk of diabetes
Olive oil has a good influence on the blood sugar level of your body and can protect you against insulin resistance.
6. It Can Relieve Osteoarthritis
Thanks to the antioxidant properties of olive oil, this oil can help your joints move more smoothly so that you suffer less from osteoarthritis later in life.
7. Olive Oil Can Prevent Alzheimer’s
When you suffer from Alzheimer’s, there is a large amount of plaque in your brain cells. Olive oil can break down small particles of this plaque, making you less likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s symptoms. However, more research needs to be done on this.
As with all foods, it is important to take olive oil in moderation, because too much can also be bad for your body. A small dash through the salad or a tablespoon to fry your meat is just perfect!