Olive Oil, Extra Virgin
Olive Oil is derived from the fruit of the olive tree, which has the distinction
of being perhaps the earliest botanical ever mentioned. It was an olive branch that
the dove delivered to Noah to signal the end of the Great Flood, and the olive branch
is a universal symbol of peace. More recent cultures
eventually discovered that the olive leaf also possessed curative properties that are
still being researched today.
Modern researchers have zeroed in on Olive Oil as the likely reason that the famed
“Mediterranean diet” is so healthy. Mediterranean cultures seem to derive most of
their fat calories from Olive Oil, while Western cultures derive theirs primarily
from animal fats and other forms of saturated fats. Although the Mediterranean diet
is higher in vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains, you can’t overlook the fact
that Olive Oil is the principal source of fat, and a healthy alternative to animal fats
and butter.
Olive Oil’s health benefits are attributable to several naturally occurring components.
It is high in oleic acid, a monosaturated fatty acid (MUFA) that may stimulate bile
production, aiding digestion. It is low in saturated fatty acids, or “bad fat”, and
contains a good balance of polyunsturated fatty acids (PUFA), like vitamins, antioxidants,
and linoleic acid.
When cooking, Olive Oil has numerous distinct advantages over other cooking oils.
It has a higher smoking point than the desired temperature for frying food and forms
a crust on the outside of fried foods that decreases oil penetration and enhances
flavor. Foods fried in Olive Oil are not as greasy. It can be re-used often without
spoiling or losing its taste, increases in volume when reheated, and remains very
digestible even if re-used.
NOW® Extra Virgin Olive Oil is obtained from the first cold-pressing of the finest
ripe Mediterranean Olives - without the use of solvents or other chemicals.
It is 100% pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil with no additives or preservatives.
NOW® Extra Virgin Olive Oil is excellent for salad dressings - especially oil and vinegar type.
Limited and not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that eating about
2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil daily may support cardiovascular health
due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. To achieve this
possible benefit, olive oil is to replace a similar amount of saturated fat and
not increase the total number of calories you eat in a day.
