Olive oil
liquid gold
Olive oil is not only beneficial as a form of nutrition, but it also has extraordinary health and healing properties. Although it should be noted that olive oil does not have today the divine character attributed to it in the past, or the same condition of an essential energy source in nourishment, but it does represent the new health myth and concern for a healthy and balanced diet as well as being the ancestral component that all of us retain in our habits and customs. All these factors remain in effect in this wonderful product that some call "liquid gold ", which is why olive oil is an item considered half food and half medicine.
Olive oil, the symbol of the Mediterranean diet, is the best fat with which to fry food, as it forms a consistent layer around the food. With it, the food retain its juices and does not absorb more oil. Although it gets very hot (180 š C), it suffers the least alteration during heating so it can be reused more times than other oils. In addition, vegetable oil contributes to a greater number of factors beneficial for our health.
Olive oil has great influence on the body, here below are the effects on different systems and devices:
ON THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
- Causes a decrease in total blood cholesterol
- Lowers LDL (bad cholesterol).
- Does not adjust the levels of HDL (good cholesterol).
- Stimulates the production of vasodilators (improves blood flow).
- Decreases the ability of oxidation of LDL cholesterol, preventing heart attacks by atheroma.
- Lowers blood pressure.
ON THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
- Decreases gastric acid secretion.
- Decreases pancreatic secretory activity without affecting the digestibility of food.
- Improves emptying of the gallbladder, which prevents the formation of gallstones.
- Improves intestinal absorption of various nutrients, especially inorganic, correcting conditions such as anemia (enhances iron absorption).
ON OXIDATIVE PROCESSES
- Olive oil is a major impediment to cellular oxidation, so it helps prevent many diseases and even premature aging.
- About diabetes patients: Improving the patient's lipid profile.
- Lowers blood glucose, leading to reduced daily doses of insulin.