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Uses, properties and applications of olive oil

Is olive oil only for raw seasoning? Nothing could be more wrong! Here are the many uses of extra virgin olive oil

Due to its price, olive oil is often seen as a product to be used sparingly, but this is a mistake because it is a true ally for health and should be used daily. From a nutritional standpoint, given its chemical composition, extra virgin olive oil is considered a high-value food product.

It is recommended to consume four teaspoons of olive oil per day, and using it raw has no contraindications.
Nutritionally, because of its chemical makeup, extra virgin olive oil is considered a high-quality food product.
It is easily metabolized, reduces the biosynthesis processes of plasma cholesterol, and promotes pancreatic secretion, while its other fatty acids, like polyunsaturated (also known as essential fats), are present in olive oil in optimal proportions (similar to breast milk).

We reaffirm for the uses of olive oil the concept: raw olive oil = no contraindications

Other uses of olive oil

Olive oil has always been considered midway between food and medicine.
Our grandparents used it to extract splinters, for stomachaches due to its laxative properties, and to soften calluses. It was also greatly appreciated for cosmetic purposes, as grandmothers used it to ensure shine and softness for hair. This practice has been revived by many cosmetic companies that now create lines for frizzy and dry hair using olive oil; of course, pure products or homemade masks provide better results.

The properties of the oil are also linked to how it is stored, and we recommend following the guidelines carefully in our section on how to store extra virgin olive oil.

The main functions of extra virgin olive oil:

ANTICHOLESTEROL

The uses of olive oil should not be occasional because it has important healing properties and should replace other condiments like butter and animal fats, which instead can cause harm. Extra virgin olive oil helps reduce excess cholesterol.
It does not produce “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and, on the contrary, promotes the formation of good cholesterol (HDL). The latter ensures the integrity of our arteries: it cleanses them of potential atherosclerotic plaques and LDL itself, preventing these substances from adhering to the walls and causing blockages.

VITAMINS, ANTIOXIDANTS, ANTI-RADICALS

The presence of tocopherols (vitamin E) and polyphenols in oil plays an important role in antioxidant and anti-radical activity, limiting cellular aging.

GROWTH AND ENERGY

The richness of unsaturated fats ensures more balanced development in children, helping cellular tissue absorb essential substances for growth. A drizzle of oil in baby food is the healthiest and most appealing seasoning. For teenagers, a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil is also important, as a growing body requires additional energy and calorie intake.

INTESTINAL REGULATOR

Using extra virgin olive oil facilitates liver function and regulates intestinal activity. Recent studies confirm it is an important anti-tumor agent, particularly reducing the likelihood of colon cancer. Adequate consumption lowers the risk of gastric and duodenal ulcers, has a laxative effect (more effective on an empty stomach), and helps correct chronic constipation; additionally, it provides a protective effect against gallstone formation.

EASILY DIGESTIBLE

Extra virgin olive oil is no less digestible than other oils, contrary to what some may claim to uninformed consumers. It has been scientifically proven to be the only oil that is 100% digestible, compared to 85% for sunflower oil, 81% for peanut oil, and 36% for corn oil. Compared to other fats, particularly animal fats, extra virgin olive oil digests the fastest.
Moreover, one appreciated role of olive oil is the distinct flavor it lends to dishes, enhancing the palatability of food and boosting the digestive system’s secretory responses, leading to better digestion.

Uses of olive oil

The therapeutic aspects of olive oil are connected to its nutritional values. Olive oil not only plays a significant role in the Mediterranean diet (deemed the most balanced for the past twenty years) but is also considered by nutrition physiologists to help prevent many diseases.

From what we have discussed, it is clear that limiting the uses of olive oil to mere dressing… It is a FOOD. And what a food!!!

In conclusion, it is advisable to always use olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil.

Here are some tips on why to use extra virgin olive oil and why to buy oil directly from the mill!

Why buy oil only from the mill?

Discover our tips on why to consume extra virgin olive oil and why to buy oil directly from the mill!

BASIC OIL TASTING KIT

FREE ORDER

The KIT is a sample pack of 2 bottles of extra virgin olive oil: Fruity and Balanced. You only pay €16.50 for shipping from Italy
Tasting kit of Puglian extra virgin olive oil from Salento, free of charge, complimentary
Tasting kit of Puglian extra virgin olive oil from Salento, free of charge, complimentary
BASIC OIL TASTING KIT

FREE ORDER

The KIT is a sample pack of 2 bottles of extra virgin olive oil: Fruity and Balanced. You only pay €16.50 for shipping from Italy