Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Eating - Olive Oil

Olive Oil is obtained from the fruit of Olea europaea of the Oleaceae family. Commonly known as The Olive Tree. One of the healthiest oils available it is perhaps the world’s most popular oil used commonly in cooking. In addition it is also used in Cosmetics and Soaps as well as in Pharmaceutical products.

Olive trees are native to areas around the Mediterranean with Spain being the world’s largest producer of Olive Oil. It estimated to be close to 800,000 Olive trees in cultivation around the world with at least 90% coming from areas around the Mediterranean.

Olive oil is being produced in other places around the world with Australia now producing Export Quality olive oil. There is also growing demand for Olive production in South Africa.

There are many powerful benefits to using Olive oil in your Healthy Eating Lifestyle:

- Olive oil is known for its many health benefits. In particular it fights Bad Cholesterol and raises the level of good cholesterol.

- All pressings of olive oil are good for our health however; the first pressing or Extra Virgin Olive oil has a much higher level of Antioxidants.

- An Increase of Olive Oil in the Diet by as little as Teaspoon a day is believed to decrease the risk of Some cancers including Bowel Cancer.

- There have been many reports linking the regular use of Olive oil in the diet to a decrease in the symptoms of Arthritis.

Incorporating Olive oil into a regular diet is not hard. It can be used in most dishes and a lot of the time you wouldn’t know you was eating it:

- If you need oil to pan fry meat, fish or chicken, Olive oil is the obvious choice. It is however not generally recommended for deep-frying due to its low burning point.

- Olive oil is an excellent substitute to butter or margarine. It can be drizzled on toast or bread before adding additional toppings or simply to eat on its own.

- Boiled carrots, beans, mashed potatoes, cabbage and a large selection of vegetables are greatly enhanced by drizzle of olive oil over them once served.

- After gently frying Ripe Tomatoes in Olive oil, they can be topped with fresh basil leaves drizzled with olive oil and served with crispy garlic bread (garlic bread can also be made using crushed garlic blended with olive oil).

- Olive oil with vinegar and crushed garlic makes an excellent summer salad dressing.

Olive oil can also be used on dry flaking skin or as an occasional skin moisturiser. It is a very healthy and versatile oil that should be included in all kitchens.