Olive oil has become an integral part of our diet. We use it for everything from salads to preparing various dishes. We included it in the diet because it is very healthy, but also due to the fact that it gives the food a better taste.

Olive oil is an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, which is one of the healthiest types of food in the world.

In this text we will try to explain to you why this oil is so healthy.

What is olive oil?

Olive oil is obtained by squeezing olives between presses. The use and production of olive oil dates back to before the time of Christ in the time of the ancient Greeks (remember those amphorae).

Also, the olive tree is one of the longest-lived trees and can live from 500 to 1500 years.
Which oil is the healthiest?

Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest oil. It is produced by cold pressing olives without temperature or any other chemical process.

That is why it is the most expensive, but it contains the largest number of healthy substances.
What does extra virgin olive oil consist of?

Extra virgin olive oil contains:

1. 73% monounsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids and they protect us from cardiovascular disease and can lower the values ​​of bad LDL cholesterol and possibly increase the values ​​of good HDl cholesterol

2. 11% polyunsaturated, which are also unsaturated fatty acids and are good for our cardiovascular system

3. 16% saturated fatty acids, these fatty acids are among the dangerous fatty acids that have been proven, in excessive intake, can increase the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease

4. A large amount of antioxidants and vitamin E.

Why is olive oil healthy?

The fact that this oil is rich in unsaturated fatty acids and contains a lot of antioxidants speaks in favor of the fact that it is good in preventing cardiovascular diseases and the development of other chronic diseases.

But you can't just look at oil as a magic potion that will solve all your heart and blood vessel problems.

The research that has been done regarding this oil has been done primarily in the context of the Mediterranean diet.

People living in the Mediterranean have been found to be less likely to develop cardiovascular disease.

One of the reasons for that is, of course, olive oil, which is the basic oil in their diet, but also the entire diet, which is based on fish, nuts, fruits and vegetables, and smaller and more frequent meals.

All this helps with olive oil and its healthy effect on the body.

So you can't expect the oil to help you lower your cholesterol without adjusting your entire diet to the Mediterranean. Learn about all olive oil health benefits here.

Is olive oil good for cooking?

Yes, it can be prepared on. Pay attention to the shows in which the world's chefs prepare food and you will see that they use this oil.

A large amount of monounsaturated fatty acids makes the oil suitable for cooking because unsaturated fatty acids are heat resistant.

Also, extra virgin olive oil has a smoking point of about 190 to 207 degrees Celsius which also makes it suitable for most food preparation methods.