Extra virgin oil: the fat that is good for you
This characteristic is due to its composition: in fact, among the 99% of lipids that make it up, as much as 75% consists of oleic acid, linoleic acid and palmitic acid, that is monounsaturated fats which make extra virgin olive oil an important ally of our cardiovascular system. Moreover, a detail not to be overlooked, they do not make you gain weight.
The extra virgin olive oil helps to keep bad cholesterol (LDL) under control by increasing levels of good cholesterol (HDL), which has the function of cleaning the arteries of fat deposits; all this facilitates proper blood circulation.
The fatty acids in extra virgin olive oil have apreventive action against cardiovascular diseases, protecting the heart from heart attacks or other conditions.
Green gold, moreover, besides being a good fat for the cardiovascular system, represents a true ally for our diet, thanks to the wealth of vitamins it contains, essential elements that should never be missing in a balanced and healthy eating plan.
Let’s specifically look at all the properties that extra virgin oil possesses and that help us maintain our ideal weight.
Extra virgin olive oil: an ally for the diet
The extra virgin olive oil must absolutely be included in a balanced diet, as it represents a valid aid for the proper functioning of the body and for our health in general.
It is necessary to make a clarification: being composed of 99% lipids, extra virgin oil is certainly caloric, every 100 grams contain about 900 calories. But this does not mean that it should be eliminated from your eating plan if you are planning to lose weight.
This good fat helps us absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and calcium that we obtain through fruits and vegetables.
Moreover, the fats contained in extra virgin olive oil contribute to:
- promote the sense of satiety
- protect the stomach from inflammation
- facilitate digestion
- prevent abdominal bloating
These four functions are important for achieving the well-being of the body and for correctly following a low-calorie diet.
Although we have demonstrated that extra virgin olive oil is an important ally for our diet, it is appropriate to remember to not exceed the doses. To enjoy its precious benefits and season your dishes with flavor, 3/4 teaspoons a day are sufficient, preferably raw.
Why choose extra virgin oil instead of other vegetable oils
Now that we have revealed all the health properties of extra virgin olive oil, there is no room for doubt; it is the best condiment to integrate into your diet, even if you are following a low-calorie diet. Yet many people continue to believe that seed oils are less fatty or equivalent to olive oil.
Apparently, there is nothing wrong with this statement because vegetable oils contain the same amount of fats and the same calories as olive oil.
So why choose extra virgin oil?
A good extra virgin olive oil is more flavorful than any seed oil; for this reason, we tend to use much less raw, since it provides more flavor with a smaller amount. This is the case for all the extra virgin oils we produce at the Sommariva Mill, such as Maina: the strong yet sweet flavor characterizes a very high-quality oil, obtained through cold pressing of the best taggiasca olives.
As for cooking, olive oil has a higher smoke point – the temperature at which a cooking fat begins to release volatile toxic substances – than all other oils making it ideal even for frying. This phenomenon is due to the fact that it has a lower amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which makes it a more stable oil when cooking.
Extra virgin olive oil does not make you gain weight
We have therefore clarified every doubt: the extra virgin olive oil does not make you gain weight, on the contrary, it is a valid ally even when undergoing a low-calorie diet with the aim of losing weight.
If you are following a dietary regimen with the goal of losing weight, it is correct and healthy to use extra virgin oil to season your dishes both cooked and raw.
It should be dosed in moderation, but eliminating it from your eating plan for fear of gaining weight would be a serious mistake. The extra virgin olive oil is also an ally of our health: it helps to keep the entire cardiovascular system under control, making it function at its best.