Is olive oil healthy? Its ingredients provide the answer. Around 80% of olive oil consists of monounsaturated fatty acids. These are healthy fats that not only lower cholesterol but also improve blood flow. Olive oil itself contains hardly any cholesterol, but it does contain vitamin E, which has an antioxidant effect. While aromatic compounds provide the flavour, antioxidants prevent harmful oxidation processes in the body caused by free radicals.
Virgin olive oil and cholesterol
Olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids. This distinguishes it from seed oils, such as sunflower and safflower oil, which contain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Unlike plant fats, animal fats are rich in saturated fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids lower total cholesterol.
The monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil work differently. They lower only ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol, leaving ‘good’ HDL cholesterol unaffected. LDL cholesterol is described as ‘bad’ because it is responsible for deposits in blood vessels. HDL cholesterol helps remove these harmful deposits.
Valuable polyphenols
Polyphenols are health-promoting antioxidants found in olive oil. High levels influence the oil’s freshness, flavour, shelf life and pepperiness. Scientific research has shown that the polyphenols in olive oil suppress genes involved in causing inflammation. Olio Nobile oils have a very high polyphenol content compared with conventional olive oils. Under EU requirements, an olive oil must contain at least 250 mg/kg to qualify as extra virgin. At 400 mg/kg, Olio Nobile is an outstanding oil. Our high phenolic compound content promotes the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
Olive oil delights more than just
Its high vitamin E content, together with unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants, slows the ageing of skin cells. Olive oil can therefore also be used for skincare. Applied directly after sunbathing, it is also said to reduce the risk of skin cancer. Less is more, however, as too much olive oil can dry out the skin. Olive oil can also benefit the hair. Pure olive oil can be used as a hair treatment and is said to help with an itchy scalp, dandruff and split ends. It leaves hair smoother and shinier, provided it is washed out with a very mild shampoo.
