Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), also known as "Liquid Gold" in the ancient times, has numerous benefits for health and wellness, clearly making it "precious" ingredient in living a healthy lifestyle. We’ll look at how it’s good for your heart, helps with weight management, boosts brain health and more. You’ll also learn how EVOO fights inflammation and keeps your skin healthy. Plus, we’ll share easy ways to add Extra Virgin Olive Oils to your meals so you can enjoy its benefits every day. Learn more about the Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil by reading on!

What Makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil Special?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is truly special due to many factors. To put it simply, the key attributes impacting its "specialness" include:

• The region and varietal of the olives.
• The quality of the olives (picked at the right time).
• The timing and method of the oil extraction process.
• Its chemical profile has less than .8% acidity.
• Lack of sensory defects (aroma, taste, mouth feel, color).
• Pureness of the oil (100% EVOO - its not mixed with other lower grade olive oils or even other oils).
• Freshness (time from pressing to the shelves). 

If any of these attributes are not up to industry specific standards, it should not be called 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Learn more on the Nutrition Facts of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Nutritional Facts of Authentic Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

• It's a Monounsaturated Fat (MUFA). MUFA is a type of healthy fat that contain a single carbon-to-carbon double bond in their fatty acid chain. MUFA's have been proven to lower cholesterol, improves cell development and reduce disease risk.
• It's High in Vitamin E (protects cells) and in Vitamin K (fat soluble vitamin).
• Contains antioxidants (oleocanthal and oleuropein) to help fight inflammation and chronic disease. 
• Contains Polyphenols (the higher the better) which helps reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

We are often asked, what is the difference between Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Olive Oil.

EVOO is the least processed type of olive oil, and it has a stronger flavor and aroma than other olive oils. EVOO is generally considered healthier than other olive oils because it contains more antioxidants, vitamins, and other natural ingredients. 

Olive Oil (also referred to as Pure Olive Oil or Light Olive Oil) is often lighter in color (pale yellow) and costs less than its extra-virgin counterpart. Olive Oil can also be a blend of cold-pressed (EVOO) and Olive Oil which been refined to remove any natural impurities in the oil. In order to improve the "defects", the olive oil is often treated either chemically or with heat. 

• 100% EVOO: Cold-pressed from the olive fruit without heat or chemicals and it is completely 100% of this type of oil.
• Olive Oil: Heated to extract the oil and then often refined to eliminate defects.

Heart Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is in the category of foods that contains omega-3 fats, which means it’s a part of a family of foods that contains healthy fatty acids. The oleic acid present in olive oil also makes it one of a handful of foods that benefits heart health. The active component in olive oil that reduces the risk of heart disease is the monounsaturated fat content. Olive Oil is rich in HDL, often referred to as “good” cholesterol. cholesterol which is good cholesterol. Read on to learn How Olive Oil Improves Heart Health.

Studies have clinically documented the many heart healthy and other health benefits of EVOO. We like to share this specific study from The Cleveland Clinic, 6 Major Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Weight Management

On weight, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is another "golden factor". The key in weight management is to use EVOO to replace (not in addition to) "unhealthy" saturated and trans fats.  Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for weight include:

• It boosts thermogenesis - helping burn body fat and calories more efficiently after meals. 
• Promotes satiety - EVOO's MUFAs can help you feel full for longer, which can reduce snacking and overall calorie intake. 
• Activates fat-burning genes - EVOO's oleic acid can activate genes that help your body convert stored fat into usable energy. 
• Reduces fat storage -EVOO may prevent your body from storing extra fat, especially in your abdomen and thighs. 

Tap's Tip: Butter to Olive Oil Conversion Guidelines

Boost Your Brain Health with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Again the studies are abound on this topic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been researched to prove its cognitive impacts and supports the role of healthy fats in cognitive function.

"Research found a positive correlation between the intake of olive oil and improved cognitive functioning among elderly adults. Furthermore, regular olive oil intake has the potential to lower the risk of cognitive decline over time". See Study.

Tap's Tip: Did You Know...

The peppery sensation (even coughing) you feel in the back of your throat when tasting Extra Virgin Olive Oil is believed to be caused by the polyphenol Oleocanthal. Oleocanthal, present in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Learn More in our article on Reducing the Risk of Alzheimer's Disease with EVOO.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits for Overall Wellness

It seems today, inflammation and numerous auto-immune diseases are the latest hot health topic. Arthritis and inflammation are impacting younger adults and not just considered a disease for the "older generation". Due to its chemical profile and incredible attributes highlighted above, the Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil also helps reduce inflammation and arthritis. 

Learn more in our article on High Polyphenol for Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Arthritis.

EVOO Helps with Diabetes on a Number of Fronts

• EVOO is high in monounsaturated fats, which help your body process sugars from food. This can help reduce the risk of diabetes complications like heart disease and stroke.
• EVOO contains phenolic compounds like oleuropein, which may help regulate blood sugar. 
• EVOO can help you feel full longer, which can help prevent overeating. 

Healthy Skin and Beauty Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Now that you have read how olive oil has numerous health benefits, but it goes beyond adding EVOO to your diet. So let's talk about the largest organ, your skin and what it has to "drink". As wonderful as Olive Oil is for the inside, it has the same therapeutic qualities when used on the outside. Remember, your skin absorbs 85% of what is applied to it and it is absorbed within a matter of seconds. Learn more on how to use olive oil beyond the kitchen in our article Skin Smart: Health Cosmetic Uses for Olive, Nut and Seed Oils.

Tap's Tip: Try it as a Scrub! The Olive Tap's Blood Orange Olive Oil Scrub. Try it with your favorite flavored oils too. We love Rosemary and Lemon Olive Oils too. See our Flavored Oils. 

Simple Ways to Add Extra Virgin Olive Oil to Your Routine

It's easy to incorporate EVOO into your daily living. We also have an article on Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegars Usage Ideas.

• Make your own Vinaigrettes and Marinades.
• Use it in Place of Butter! 
• Try it in Baked Goods. See Recipes.

Choosing and Storing Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Here are a few tips when shopping for high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

1. Shop at trusted store, including The Olive Tap.
2. Read the Label and Ingredients. Is it truly 100% Extra Virgin Olive Oil or is it an EVOO blended with other Olive Oils (or Oils) and marketed as Extra Virgin Olive Oil? There should not be any other ingredients listed!
3. Taste it, if you can. 

Learn more and read our article on How to Tell if Your Olive Oil is Fake.

The proper storage of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is important to maintain freshness, flavor and maintain the quality chemical attributes which provide the many health benefits of extra virgin olive oil we just outlined. You can do your part and keep your fresh bottle of EVOO in a cool, dim or dark cabinet (away from heat  - not above or next to the stove or oven). 

Tap's Fact: The Olive Tap intentionally designed its bottles with green glass to protect the oil from light. 

Also, please remember to seal it properly after use. Heat, light and air are all factors which can negative affect your Extra Virgin Olive Oils freshness and health benefits. You can learn more in our article on Characteristics that Impact Your Olive Oils Qualities.

EVOO...It's Truly "Liquid Gold"

At The Olive Tap, we are proud to offer quality Extra Virgin Olive Oils to support the health and well being of all of our customers. We hope, after reading this article, you truly understand the number Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and how it received its name as "Liquid Gold". We believe it's gold, we hope you do too!