Proven Benefits Of Olive Oil

olive oilOlive oil benefits are quite many that you wonder why are people not using it. There is so much to experience from heart health to skin care. The best part is that olive oil is easily available in different stores. It is crucial that you get the right olive oil with no fillers. There are some unscrupulous companies that might sell you the worst olive oil.

Well, what are some of the benefits to expect?

1. Heart health

It is common that some nutritionists would recommend using olive oil for heart health. Many studies show that Olive oil is stacked with healthy nutrients and keeping your heart healthy is one of them. Overall, the arteries and other parts of the cardiovascular system will improve once you use olive oil. Continue reading

Why Olive Oil Tops List of Agricultural Fraud

olive oilBarbara Minton ~ Extra virgin olive oil has become fashionable in health circles because it’s the predominant fat used in the Mediterranean diet, a diet shown to reduce risk of death for all causes. Italian extra virgin olive oil is considered the best, and it is the most highly sought. The only thing bothersome here is the fact that when you buy a bottle of Italian extra virgin olive oil, you may not get what you think you are getting, because olive oil tops the list for agricultural fraud.

An intergovernmental organization known as the International Olive Council (IOC) based in Madrid, Spain is the standard bearer for olive oil, tracking production, defining quality standards, and monitoring authenticity. The U.S. does not belong to this organization, and the USDA does not recognize its classifications, one of which is extra virgin olive oil. As a result, it does not enforce any criteria for that label – although it did adopt new olive oil standards in 2011 that were supposed to harmonize with those of the IOC.

According to U.S. Customs, if a non-origin nation such as Italy, is shown on the olive oil label, the actual place of origin must be displayed on the same side of the label and in same-sized letter, to keep from fooling consumers. But most brands sold in the U.S. disregard this and state their products are imported from Italy boldly on the front of the label, with the true origin printed in tiny lettering on the back, if it’s shown at all.

With Italian extra virgin olive oil in such high demand and fetching such high prices, adulterated oil has been documented as the primary source of agricultural fraud in the EU, even though they have the IOC, suggesting that this is true for the U.S. as well. Continue reading

Studies Show That Olive Oil Benefits Our Heart And Mind

“A lot of people assume that olive oil is unsafe to heat, since fatty acids can oxidize during cooking and become carcinogenic. The truth, however, is that only polyunsaturated fats become damaged when heated.” – M Ravensthorpe

OliveOilOlive oil, which is obtained by pressing the fruits of the olive tree, is considered to be one of the most nutritious oils in the world. According to Hippocrates, it could heal a large number of serious ailments, including mental illness. The ancient Greeks and Romans generously poured olive oil over their food, cherishing it for its pleasant taste and medicinal qualities.(1)

Even in the contemporary Western world, where fats have been demonized for decades, most experts acknowledge that olive oil — especially extra virgin olive oil — is good for you. Let’s find out why.

Olive oil is rich in oleic acid

Olive oil is comprised of approximately 73 percent monounsaturated fat,(2) which includes large quantities of oleic acid, a fatty acid with countless proven benefits. For example, a review published in the journal Nutricion Hospitalaria noted the oleic acid possessed anti-inflammatory properties,(3) suggesting that it can help treat inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Continue reading

Organic Olive Oil Could Reduce DNA Damage from Eating GMOs

“A large 2012 Chinese study found that not only does plant microRNA survive, it causes human cell apoptosis. The genetic code for microRNA has been linked to diseases such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes for over a decade.” – C Sarich

OliveOilHave you eaten edamame (boiled green soybeans) lately? How about soy milk? If you haven’t dined on any obviously GMO-contaminated soy products, you likely have inadvertently consumed a few since they are lurking in hundreds of foods. Unfortunately, these GMO soy products may be causing some bodily harm. Have no fear, though. Researchers say that organic extra virgin olive oil may just be able to reduce the DNA damage caused by eating genetically modified foods.

team of researchers from the UK, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, conducted research on rodents who were given both genetically modified soybeans and olive oil. They found that rodents who ate olive oil along with their GMO diet experienced less DNA damage in the spleen, compared with rodents who ate only GMO soy.

These results were obvious with soy specifically, but could possibly apply to almost any GMO crop grown. Both GMO corn and soy have been linked to numerous health problems including cancer, infertility, and premature death.

The study abstract reads: Continue reading

Grow Your Own Anti-Aging Skin Care

“. . . if you’re looking for a natural remedy for hair loss, rosemary is the herb to try. To create a therapeutic hair oil, press rosemary with a spoon and let it soak overnight in a cup of coconut oil, jojoba, and olive oil. Apply to the roots of your hair, massaging the mixture into the scalp.” ~Dr. Richard Foxx 

plant_rosemary
Rosemary

Why spend hundreds of dollars on anti-aging skin care products when you can grow a herb garden and get all you need to fight the effects of aging? In addition to enhancing the taste of food, many herbs also have strong anti-aging properties. And best of all, you can find many of them at your local grocery store year-round. Now that it’s summer, you can also look at a farmer’s market in your area where naturally grown herbs are for sale. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious and have the space, why not plant your own anti-aging herb garden?

The following are the top three herbs you can use to fight the effects of aging for younger-looking skin.

Mint: Consuming mint can soothe skin conditions like rosacea, eczema, and acne. You can also take a handful of mint, place it in two cups of hot water, and refrigerate the mixture for a soothing toner. Continue reading