[ LifeStyle] This is how the quality of olive oil influences its health benefits

[Mr.Hacker]

It is known as liquid gold for its multiple properties, but do we know how quality is determined, what factors influence it and how they impact the body?

Olive oil is one of our hallmarks. Intimately linked to our landscape and our gastronomy, it is an essential part of the Mediterranean diet; in fact, many of the health benefits attributed to this diet are due precisely to the presence of this healthy fat in it. "The quality of an olive oil," explains Belén Fontán, a Pharmacy graduate and expert in nutritional coaching at the Ruber Juan Bravo Hospital Complex, "is defined by its chemical characteristics (acid value, peroxide value, vitamins... .), as well as its organoleptic characteristics such as colour, smell, flavor or density”. Focusing on health, we are going to be interested in an oil with a high level of oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid that stands out for its heart-healthy properties.

In this sense, it must be remembered that the olive harvest season usually oscillates between the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, a moment in which the fruit has a higher percentage of oleic acid, which will allow us to obtain a better quality of oil. In addition to the harvest season, other factors such as the weather, the treatment of the olive once harvested or the storage of the oil obtained will also have a significant influence on the quality of the final product and, consequently, on its nutritional benefits. Aware of this, manufacturers are currently paying special attention to all these factors and to the production processes in order to optimize the healthy possibilities of this 'liquid gold'.
This is how it benefits us
To understand why the virtues of olive oil are extolled so much, the Nutrition specialist explains that:
Prevents cardiovascular diseases. Oleic acid has the ability to reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) levels and increase HDL (good cholesterol) levels. "The presence of this oleic acid also increases arterial vasodilation, improving blood circulation and lowering blood pressure," she stresses.
Strengthens the bones. It contributes to bone mineralization, which is why it is essential for proper growth in childhood, as well as in adulthood to avoid bone problems and diseases such as osteoporosis.

https://www.elconfidencial.com/alma-corazon-vida/2022-04-08/aceite-oliva-beneficios-salud-bra_3403324/