How Good is Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil?

Dietary fats are a hot topic of discussion these days. Whether we talk about animal fats, seed oils, saturated and unsaturated fats, omega 3 and so on, most people agree that organic extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest edible fats. A cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, EVOO has been gaining popularity in recent years and is now widely used because of its health benefits.

The different grades of olive oil

With so many options available on supermarket shelves, it’s very hard to tell which olive oil is better. Ignore those labeled as “pure olive oil” or “light olive oil”: despite the charming power of the words pure and light, these olive oils are very low quality. If you want to make the most of olive oil’s health benefits, go for organic extra virgin olive oil. For two reasons. First of all, extra virgin is the only grade of olive oil you want to consider as it is the only one extracted mechanically and not processed chemically. Second, the organic certification guarantees a reduced amount of pesticides used in the production process. So much less chemicals in the environment and on your plate.

Benefits of using organic extra virgin olive oil

Extra virgin olive oil has a rich flavor and aromas that other grades clearly lack. This becomes even more evident when you drizzle it on salads and raw veggies. If the EVOO had organoleptic defects, they would be immediately evident on raw food. Top quality extra virgin olive oil gives food a boost of flavour and freshness.

Hydroxytyrosol in extra virgin olive oil may help prevent oxidation of the lining of our blood vessels, thus improving cardiovascular health.

Antioxidants called polyphenols, present particularly in extra virgin olive oil, tend to reduce blood pressure.

If you replace saturated fats with organic extra virgin olive oil, your heart health is likely to improve.

Extra virgin olive oil is heat sensitive like all fats, so, to get the full range of nutrients, try using it in raw form. However, if every now and then you need a cooking fat for cooking at temperatures up to 180°, an EVOO with a high antioxidants content is more resistant to unhealthy oxidation.

EVOO: where to find it with a high antioxidants’ content

Specifying the level of antioxidants on the label of (organic) extra virgin olive oil is not compulsory. Furthermore, the level of antioxidants decreases with time. You need to find a trusted shop where the customer service team is available to answer your questions and to provide lab tests and traceability documents. Check out this organic & biodynamic food e-shop called Olivocracy. They pride themselves to answer your questions 7 days a week via email, phone or social media.