Using oil for cooking is common in all cuisines and cultures as it makes the food more tender and also prevents it from sticking. Recently, however, oil has emerged as a culprit that causes many health-related problems, most notably weight gain and elevated cholesterol levels.
But it should be noted that not all oils are bad for health. On the one hand, where cooking oils such as palm oil, corn oil and grapeseed oil are considered bad for health, we also have extra virgin olive oil which has numerous health benefits.
Olive oil is more popular in countries like Spain and Italy, where people use it for cooking and also as a dressing for salads. It is made from the fruit of the olive tree which is then pressed to extract the oil.
There are also different types of olive oil on the market. The main types of oil are refined, virgin and extra virgin olive oils. Of the three, the extra virgin is the least processed oil and is therefore considered the healthiest. It is extracted using natural methods, which allows it to retain its original taste, along with all the goodness of olives.
Aside from the pleasant taste, extra virgin olive oil is also packed with nutrients and offers a number of health benefits. Just one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil can contain about 1.9 mg of vitamin E. This vitamin has been proven to effectively protect the body from various skin and eye problems and even make the skin look healthier.
The oleocanthal-phenolic compound present in olive oil, which causes a tingling sensation when tasted, has inflammatory properties and can act as a pain reliever for your body. In addition, experts believe that olive oil has also been effective in keeping some neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s at bay.
Other benefits of consuming extra virgin olive oil include controlling high blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart disease, protecting against diabetes, improving digestion and boosting metabolism.
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