Is olive oil good for health?

Olive oil is fruit oil obtained from the olive (Olea europaea; family Oleaceae), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin. Although more expensive than other oils, olive oil has many health benefits. It has the highest percentage (about 77%) of monounsaturated fat among commonly used oils. Studies have found that consumption of olive oil can lower the risk of heart disease by reducing blood cholesterol levels and blood clot formation. It also contains many antioxidant phytochemicals that have many health benefits.

This oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives and comes in different varieties depending on the amount of processing involved. Varieties include:

• Extra virgin: Considered the best, this oil comes from the first pressing of the olives.
  
• Virgin: Comes from the second pressing.
  
• Pure: Undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
  
• Extra light: Undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavour.

Olive oil is great oil for cooking. When cooking with olive oil, save your extra-virgin expensive oils for salads, dressings and vinaigrettes. You can also drizzle it over slices of crusty bread or onto open-face sandwiches. Use it on a baked potato or add it to mashed potatoes instead of butter. Extra virgin olive oil tastes great on cooked vegetables or brushed onto fish or meat before serving.

When sautéing or frying, use either a combination olive oil (one that is simply a blend of extra virgin and regular olive oil) or a straight olive oil.....more