You have read about the goodness of olive oil all the time and are probably wondering what all the fuss is about.
Here is a complete lowdown on why you should use olive oil.
For the Health Conscious…
…here are the ways in which olive oil scores over other cooking oils.
* It is rich in monounsaturated fat, which helps reduce the cholesterol and control cardiovascular diseases.
* Olive oil is filled with flavour, so you don't need to add extra flavouring. This reduces the calories and total fat content of the dish prepared.
* A tablespoon of olive oil contains 1.6 mg of vitamin E, which is 8% of the recommended daily allowance.
* Olive oil has a high smoke point and doesn't degrade as quickly as other oils do on repeated heating.
* Unlike other cooking oils, it is easy to digest, even after being re-heated and re-used.
oil is especially good if you have a sensitive stomach. In fact, it has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis.
Recent research studies have revealed that olive oil also reduces the possibility of cancer.
Too Much of a Good Thing
No matter how many health benefits olive oil may have, it still has a high source of calories. While cooking, the recommended amount is just a couple of tablespoons depending on the quantity you are cooking.
Olive oil should be used as a substitute for other fats or oils in your diet and not added to them.
Use about 1-2 tbsp of extra-virgin olive oil in your salad dressings.
So, even though you have to spend a few extra bucks on a bottle of olive oil, go ahead and add it to your shopping list... and get a jump start to good health!
11-15-2007, 06:15 AM
Olive Oil for a Healthy Heart
Similar Threads
