Olive Oil Benefits -
Why Monounsaturated Fats Are Actually Good For You
Replace saturated and trans fats with monounsaturated fats,
such as olive oil.
Are you interested in making olive oil as a home-based hobby? For more info, click here.
Olive tree
Ancient field of olive trees
Dalmatia, Croatia
Put it in the fridge
The easiest way to tell a monounsaturated fat from the more unhealthy fats is to put it in the fridge.Monounsaturated fats will be liquid while at room temperature but will turn toward a solid when chilled.
The biggest difference between olive oil and saturated and trans fats is the molecular structure of the oils, yet that difference is huge when it comes to what happens inside your body.While saturated fats have been proven to cling to the lining of your arteries and create a blockage that could lead to a heart attack or stroke, olive oil moves through the body smoother and do not clog the arteries.
It is also used by the body for nutritional and functioning purposes much easier than other types of fats.
The overall difference between monounsaturated and saturated fats is that they have a positive influence on your health, while saturated fats only offer negative consequences.
While olive oil is the most potent source of monounsaturated fats, you can also get this type of healthy fat from other forms of vegetable oils as well as from many nuts and seeds.
Olive oil benefits
It is very rich in antioxidants which can help prevent signs of aging and keep you more youthful as you age.
Antioxidants can also help keep the body clear of toxins and help cells repair themselves properly.
The health benefits of olive oil also extend to your heart.
While saturated fats can contribute to heart disease, olive oil can help prevent it.
It can also help balance cholesterol levels.
Olive leaf oil may also be useful for our health.
Types of olive oil
The quality of olive oil is determined on the basis of acidity:- extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality olive oil with acidity less than 0.8% (a cold-pressed olive oil)
- virgin olive oil has less than 2% acidity, it has a pleasant taste and is not refined
- regular olive oil is hot-pressed, refined and has a neutral taste.
The healthiest and nutritionally the richest olive oil is an extra virgin olive oil.
Storing olive oil
Olive oil should be stored in a cool place in dark bottles (preferably from glass, not plastic) or in dark places, at a temperature of around 14° C (it crystallizes at low temperature).Low content of polyunsaturated fatty acids makes olive oil resistant to high temperatures. Therefore, it is perfect for cooking and frying.
However, compared to saturated fats, unsaturated fats are more likely to spoil more rapidly, so olive oil has to be consumed within two years.
Simple replacement strategy
You don't have to give up oil completely to be healthy (and you shouldn't!)What you do have to do is replace saturated and trans fats that you typically consume with healthier monounsaturated fats, such as olive oil.
This allows you to have that oily texture in your food and the delicious taste without clogging your arteries, gaining tons of weight, and facing other health problems that come with saturated fats.
Essentially, this means you are replacing animal oils with natural plant based oils.
Saturated fats are packed into meat and other animal foods while the lighter monounsaturated fats such as olive oil tend to be much healthier. Making a simple switch is the easiest way to bring healthier monounsaturated fats into your lifestyle.
That said, too much fat of any variety is not a good thing for your body.
The Mediterranean diet advocates free use of olive oil because of its many health benefits, but moderation and a combination of a wide variety of foods is always best for your body in the long run.
So, use olive oil to flavor food and give a nice texture to your meals.
And how good is olive oil for skin?
Very good.It prevents skin dryness and enables fast healing of wounds.
