Olive oil is one of the symbolic foods of the Mediterranean diet, but not all oils are the same. The real difference is made by the quality, especially when it comes to extra virgin olive oil (EVO). According to experts, a high-quality EVO guarantees purity, integrity, and absence of defects: this means the oil is healthy, stable, and maintains its properties until its minimum shelf life.
The nutritional benefits of a quality EVO oil
An excellent extra virgin olive oil is rich in precious elements: oleic acid, vitamin E and, above all, polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that play an important protective role on the body.
Polyphenols:
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they fight free radicals,
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reduce inflammation,
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support cardiovascular health,
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improve the functionality of the digestive system,
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they promote the balance of the intestinal microbiota.
The most recent research even suggests that regular consumption of polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil may help reduce the risk of some forms of cancer.
For this reason, more and more nutritionists define extra virgin olive oil as quality “a true natural medicine”.
Organic oil: an added value
When the raw material comes from organic farming, the benefits increase further. Olives grown without the use of synthetic chemicals develop a higher content of biophenols, making the oil:
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more stable to oxidation,
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nutritionally richer,
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more resistant to cooking,
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more complex and fragrant in taste.
Organic EVO oil also tends to maintain its original characteristics for longer, resulting in a more balanced and qualitatively safer product.