An Apple a Day May Keep the Doctor Away, But Olive Oil Each Day Can Transform Your Health!

The incredible health benefits of EVOO are limitless, making Extra Virgin Olive Oils of exceptional quality, like the ones we make here at Vignoli, an indispensable tool in your quest to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

We all know that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is delicious and incredibly versatile in the kitchen, but did you know that EVOO is one of the healthiest foods you can put into your body? Loaded with heart-healthy fats (Omega’s), antioxidants, and polyphenols, EVOO has been shown to help reduce blood pressure, help reduce bad cholesterol, and help reduce inflammation in the body. It can even help to combat dry skin and wrinkles.

Did you know that EVOO also contains large amounts of squalene shown to prevent skin cancer and that its high concentration of vitamins D and K help to build strong bones? In fact, a 2018 study examining the benefits of eating a Mediterranean Diet (which includes ingesting lots of Extra Virgin Olive Oil), demonstrated that a diet rich in EVOO was associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis-related fractures in middle-aged and elderly Mediterranean populations.

Participants in the study who had the highest Extra Virgin Olive Oil consumption had a 51% lower risk of fractures.

Without a doubt, the incredible health benefits of EVOO are limitless, making Extra Virgin Olive Oils of exceptional quality, like the ones we make here at Vignoli, an indispensable tool in your quest to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.

Why is EVOO so much better than regular olive oil?

EVOO is the most minimally processed variety of olive oil, and it’s important to note that not all EVOO’s are the same. Refined olive oils or “Extra Light Olive Oils”, which are commonly found on grocery store shelves, not only lack that irreplaceable flavor that olive oil lovers crave due to the fact that they have been heavily processed and treated, but they lack the inherent nutritional benefits that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is known for. Real EVOO is the highest grade of olive oil on the market because these oils are extracted using natural methods and without any chemical treatments.

Some extra virgin olive oils are of such superb quality when improving one’s health that they can officially be labeled as “nutraceutical” oils. What are nutraceuticals? Nutraceutical foods, and in this case olive oils, are so nutrient-rich that they can help prevent a wide range of diseases, from high blood pressure to cancer.

How do I know that my olive oil is real, healthy EVOO?

1. Read the label.
Look for the words, ‘Extra Virgin Olive Oil” and/or “First Cold Pressed,” which means the olives were only pressed one time and never exceeded a certain temperature to ensure maximum quality. Also, look for where the olive oil has been sourced and keep in mind that the phrase, “Bottled in Greece”, for example, doesn’t necessarily mean the olive oil was sourced in Greece.

Check out the color of the bottle. Look for dark glass bottles that help to block out sunlight and heat, which can be damaging not only to the flavor of the EVOO but also to its inherent health qualities.

2. Taste it.
Take a little bit of the oil and rub it between your hands. Then take in the unique aroma of the oil. What do you smell? Banana, artichoke, or simply fresh olive fruit?

Then, have a taste. Pour one tablespoon into a tasting glass (a wine glass works fine for this). Hold the glass with one hand, and then cover it with your other hand (to warm the glass and open up the EVOO’s flavor). Remove your hand from the top of the glass and then inhale to enjoy the aromas of the oils. Finally, give it a slurp and swirl it around in your mouth. Then swallow. Did you get a peppery sensation at the back of your throat? This is an indicator that you have a quality EVOO that is very high in polyphenols which are beneficial plant compounds that can improve your health in a myriad of ways, from helping to regulate blood sugar to assisting with healthy digestion.

3. Finally, don’t forget to check the expiration date of the EVOO.
Unopened EVOO is good for about two years after its harvest date IF it’s stored properly—away from heat and sunlight.

Now that I’ve got my bottle of EVOO, what should I do next?

When it comes to cooking and eating, Extra Virgin Olive Oil can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, from drizzling on salads, grilled vegetables, and carpaccios to making pasta sauces, stews and soups. And, did you know that EVOO is great for frying and is much healthier than regular old seed oils? (Check out our primer on why you should try frying, including deep frying, in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.) Try frying a freshly cracked egg in EVOO or make an Italian-style olive oil cake or poach your next piece of line-caught fish in EVOO. The possibilities for enjoying quality EVOO are as endless as EVOO’s contributions to your good health.

However, to truly enjoy the incomparable health benefits of EVOO, it’s best to take it raw.

Just taking a tablespoon or two each day can help to transform your health in unimaginable ways.

Begin your journey to a healthier you! Shop all of our EVOOs