BENEFITS OF GREEK OLIVE OIL
Greek olive oil is the latest trend for authentic, natural, pure and cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. The olive tree, as well as, olive oil are directly linked to the Mediterranean people and are essential components of our diet. In Greek mythology Athena, the goddess of wisdom, gave the Athenians the first olive tree and, in return, they named to their city after her.
The olive tree is a symbol of wisdom, peace and Greece itself. It has been a product of our land since 3,000 BC, as the dry and subtropical climate of the greater Mediterranean region offers ideal living conditions for the evergreen olive tree.
The olive fruit is rich in biophenols, which have powerful antioxidant properties and currently being studied extensively for potential pharmacological applications. Extra virgin olive oil contains another phenolic derivative, oleokanthal. This substance has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. Many scientists hope that Greek olive oil may even help fight cardiovascular diseases, Alzheimer's and even some cancers.
Extra virgin olive oil forms the basis of the famous Mediterranean diet and offers our body an abundance of nutrients. Compared to other commercially available oils, olive oil is the easiest for our body to digest and because of its high content in vitamins, fatty acids and phytosterols.
It is a powerful antioxidant and helps our body fight free radicals and high blood pressure and also acts against metabolic disorders. Finally, it gives a unique taste, aroma and texture to our food.
Olive oil belongs to the category of fats. Most of us are heavily influenced by what we hear about fats in our diet and we perceive them as something bad and harmful against our health. This is partly true, but it regards mainly to meat fat and dairy products.
Generally speaking, fats are a concentrated form of energy as they offer us a faster satiety. As far as extra virgin olive oil fat is concerned, its intake is beneficial for the body. Thus, the term "fat" also includes good fats like olive oil or fats that are contained in nuts, which with reasonable consumption, boost our health.
Thanks to the above ingredients, Greek olive oil has a positive effect on our overall health. Thus, replacing saturated fats in our diet with extra virgin olive oil, is vital.
Benefits of Greek Olive Oil
Olives protects our cardiovascular system, helps prevent strokes and reduce blood pressure.
Due to olives rich monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, it reduces the risk of depression, which in turn increases with the consumption of trans fats from highly processed foods.
Extra virgin olive oil helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of diabetes.
Vitamin E, its monounsaturated fatty acids and its antioxidants act preventively for some forms of cancer, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Olives protect against Alzheimer's.
Olive oil prevent acute pancreatitis due to oleic acid and protects the liver from oxidative stress and ulcerative colitis.
Olive oil has anti-aging properties, has a positive effect on the development of the central nervous system and helps digest other fatty and non-fatty foods, facilitating biliary secretions.
Extra virgin olive oil is not just a product of great importance to our diet. It has a special place in the heart and in the diet of all Greeks.
The value of Greek olive oil is characterized by the unique combination of its nutrients it is no surprise that Greece has the highest olive oil intake per capita in the world!