Health Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil has a range of health benefits. An article by Gavahian and colleagues, published in 2019, describes several of these benefits. The authors acknowledge that consuming a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil, or one that uses extra virgin olive oil instead of unhealthier alternatives like butter, has been observed to prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. The article is titled, “Health benefits of olive oil and its components: Impacts on gut microbiota antioxidant activities, and prevention of noncommunicable diseases.”
Not only do they reference olive oil as a healthy ingredient, but the authors of this article also credit extra virgin olive oil, known as EVOO, specifically. This is because this type is higher in quality and has passed certain stringent tests for classification. Extra virgin olive oil “has the maximum physicochemical quality characteristics (the lowest free acidity and peroxide value, for instance) and sensory attributes,” than compared to the lower quality virgin olive oil, known as VOO, and even more so than lowest quality type, lampante olive oil, or LOO, which cannot be eaten until after undergoing further processing and refinement. At Olive Ventura, we sell only extra virgin olive oil, and we guarantee that our products have honestly passed the tests to qualify for this description.
Extra virgin olive oil can potentially prevent developing cardiovascular disease due to high amounts of bioactive components including phenolic compounds. In addition, the presence of carotenoids like provitamin A, beta-carotene, and lutein in extra virgin olive oil may also prevent cardiovascular disease. In addition to its health benefits, extra virgin olive oil is also healthier than many of its alternatives, such as traditional butter. Extra virgin olive oil lacks the qualities that cause the unpleasant health effects which we often associate with butter. Such effects include conditions like heart disease and diabetes, stomach concerns such as indigestion, and unwanted weight gain.
Those looking for a healthy alternative to butter should seek extra virgin olive oil as butter’s replacement in their cooking. Whether it be for greasing as a hot frying pan, for spreading on toast, or as an essential amalgamator in many baked goods, extra virgin olive oil can easily replace butter in most settings, if not improve the taste, texture, and quality of your dishes. Traditional butter is typically produced from the milk of livestock animals like cows, goats, or sheep, through a process of churning the milk so that it is whipped into a thicker, creamy consistency. Extra virgin olive oil is a product of olives and does not require any animal products, making it a vegan replacement for butter for those who can’t or choose not to consume animal products, in addition to being potent in health-boosting compounds. People who are lactose intolerant or dairy-free, for example, should consider extra virgin olive oil as a satisfactory way to avoid consuming butter made from dairy.
This article was meant to demonstrate the potential health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, by referencing a published article concerning the topic. However, it’s always best to consult with your doctor or a food nutritionist to determine the best diet for you, your health history, and your lifestyle. Additionally, by visiting our tasting room at our Ventura store, you can speak to one of our knowledgeable staff about our products, to learn more about their qualities, their potential health benefits, and how you can improve your health and your cooking with Olive Ventura ingredients.
