Olive Oil & Your Health
Scientists are always looking to plants to find medicinal and
therapeutic secrets. Discoveries of natural compounds within
the olive tree and olives, provide promising health and medical
benefits. Organic olive oil has significant health related
properties that have spanned centuries and cultures in the
Mediterranean.
The Mediterranean olive dates back 6000 years and was native to
Iran, Syria and Palestine (Asia Minor). From there it spread to
the Mediterranean basin. It is one of the earliest known
cultivated trees. According to the Bible, an olive leaf was
that which a dove brought back to Noah, as an indication the
great flood waters were abating.
The olive tree thrives best in a sunny position and climate. A
rocky subsoil suits it well. The trunk is knotty, hard, and
gnarled, the bark smooth and ash colored. Olive wood is
valuable for its durability and is crafted into many items such
as gourmet cooking utensils. The olive tree experiences slow
growth, but it lives very long. It is reported that the olive
trees on Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, are over 2000 years old.
Olive leaves are silver grey-green, and possesses the health
qualities of “olive leaf extract” which is pressed from them.
Extracted from olive leaves is a bitter substance named
oleuropein. In the 1960’s researchers reported that oleuropein
lowered blood pressure in animals, this caused immediate
medicinal interest in the olive leaf. There are new studies
that indicate olive leaf extract may be a natural preventative
against the common cold and flu.
The olive is believed to be a source of wealth for the Minoan
Kingdom. Egyptians tombs dating back as far as 2000 BC have
been proved to contain olives. The Greeks spread the usage of
olives to the Romans who, in turn, spread it across their vast
empire. The use of olive oil has been advocated by many
religions and cultures. The early Greek Kings were anointed
with olive oil. It was also used to anoint winning Olympic
athletes. Across many cultures, olive oil is recognized for
healthy benefits for both the inner and outward body.
Some research indicates extra-virgin olive oil is the most
digestible of the edible fats. Olive oil also it helps to
assimilate vitamins A, D and K in the human body. Benefits of
consuming olive oil include slowing down the aging process and
helps liver, bile, and intestinal functions. Olive oil is
valued for its culinary attributes and organoleptic virtues,
these being: flavor, bouquet or aroma, and color. Various
grades of olive oil are derived from the time of pressing.
Earlier pressings are regarded as better quality. Cold pressed
olive oil is a pressing process requiring no heat or chemicals,
which destroy vital nutrients. This olive oil is generally the
best to use for cooking and healthy cuisine.
Olive oil has been extensively used in cooking and forms an
integral part of the basic Mediterranean diet. It is a
healthier substitute to butter. Strong and pungent flavored
olive oils are great for frying fish or other items having a
strong flavor. Extra virgin olive oil goes well with salads. A
late harvest mission variety olive oil, which is mellow, can be
used for baking cakes. Gourmet olive oil is a healthier and
tastier substitute to other fatty cooking oils. The health
benefits of cold pressed olive oil already have federal agency
approval. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized
marketing ads that say organic olive oil helps reduce the risk
of coronary disease and disorders.
Olive oil... a powerhouse for your health.
RECOMMENDED
Healthy Urban
Kitchen - The Cookbook
Official Secret Restaurant
Recipes - Available Here
 Top of page
| 
