Extra virgin olive oil is, without a doubt, the best choice when it comes to condiments, not only for the undisputed organoleptic properties that characterize it, capable of making even the simplest of dishes tasty, but also for its undisputed beneficial properties thanks to the high concentration of antioxidant substances. In fact, there is increasing scientific evidence demonstrating the positive effects of extra virgin olive oil on human health. Many studies have confirmed that the regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps us reduce the effects of free radicals and slow down the phenomena related to cellular aging.
New trends in phytotherapy are also encouraging the consumption of olive leaf extract thanks to the many properties they have; in fact, the leaves boiled in water and filtered are drunk to lower blood pressure, and they also have an important hypoglycemic effect very useful for those who have glycemia problems, that is, high levels of glucose in the blood.
Olive oil has also proven very useful for the well-being of the digestive system and all the functions it controls. Let’s see what the most important benefits are from the daily use of olive oil as a condiment.
Olive oil improves digestion also because it acts as a protector against excess acidity in the stomach: as early as the 1800s, studies were conducted on the intake of olive oil in subjects with disorders related to the digestive system and it was evident that by adding olive oil to food, gastric acid was secreted in a significantly reduced manner. Therefore, the benefits in the case of diseases such as ulcers and gastritis are evident and recognized, where there is acid hypersecretion, which was significantly reduced in contact with the oleic acid of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Olive oil is also useful in maintaining regular intestinal function, accelerating the transit of food. Not only that: drinking a tablespoon of raw olive oil in the morning on an empty stomach helps substantially to keep the stomach and intestines in good health.
Among the other components of oil, important help comes from beta-carotene, which improves intestinal functions and allows it to be more resistant to infections, and vitamin E, which as an antioxidant is also a help for the liver.
The liver, the largest gland in the human body located in the upper right part of the abdomen, is the organ of purification, filtering and digestion par excellence.
The frequent use of alcohol, fried foods, sugars and a stressful lifestyle can damage the liver. In addition, the consumption of packaged and non-organic foods, the use of drugs and environmental pollution bring many chemicals and pesticides that over time strain the liver, which can no longer eliminate them.
Liver diseases, at least initially, progress asymptomatically, but when liver function is significantly compromised, some symptoms appear, which can affect the most disparate organs, such as: skin irritation, visual disturbances, irregular menstrual cycle, recurrent headaches, unexplained weight gain, loss of energy, high cholesterol levels, allergies, bloated abdomen, fluid retention, gastrointestinal disorders, breathing difficulties, memory and concentration deficits, joint pain.
The liver is responsible for processing, converting, distributing and maintaining the supply of fuel to the body, that is, nutrients and energy. The preclusion of these vital functions has deleterious effects not only on the overall performance of the body but also on the health of each individual cell. The liver cannot properly perform any of these functions if its bile ducts are clogged with deposits of hardened bile or “gallstones” (composed of bile).
At the origin of gallstones there are multiple factors, including the frenetic pace of modern life, stress, unbalanced diets, a destabilizing lifestyle, the abuse of medicines, stimulants and alcohol, as well as the intake of chemical poisons such as food additives and artificial sweeteners. The congestion of the bile ducts causes a significant weakening of digestive functions, thus limiting the supply of nutrients to the trillions of cells present in the body. For this reason, gallstones are one of the main causes of physical and emotional diseases.
Gallstones in the liver can constitute the greatest obstacle to achieving and maintaining good health, youth and vitality; and they can in fact be one of the main reasons why people get sick and struggle to recover from illnesses.
Extra virgin olive oil is an oil with extraordinary properties: it contains oleocanthal, a substance that has a strong anti-inflammatory action and that is good for the stomach, reducing gastritis problems.
It is also an excellent ally for the skin, because it improves the absorption of vitamin A and vitamin E. Extra virgin olive oil affects the increase of HDL cholesterol, the so-called good cholesterol, and on the other hand reduces LDL cholesterol, the bad one. In doing so, it protects our cardiovascular system (heart, vessels and arteries).
Thanks to the increased bioavailability of vitamins D and K, it also allows better absorption of calcium and magnesium, strengthening the health of our bones. It also helps memory and cognitive processes thanks to the neurotrophins, which are released by the polyphenols naturally contained in extra virgin oil.
Its correct use, moreover, stimulates liver activity, helps slow digestion, and has a laxative and detoxifying effect. Other benefits are also those on the immune system, because extra virgin olive oil regulates the intestinal microbiota (the set of all microorganisms that colonize our intestine).
Among the most important properties there would even be anti-tumor ones, thanks to the presence of tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol, two substances that have an antioxidant and antineoplastic effect. Even according to Dr. Farnetti, in fact, eating with extra virgin olive oil would therefore be “the first anti-cancer prophylaxis we can do.”
Finally, this acts directly on longevity genes thanks to its nutri-genomic action. For this reason, it is wrong to eliminate it completely from the diet. The ideal is to use it in moderation, without excluding it from the diet precisely because of its extraordinary properties.
Constipation is one of the most common disorders in the population, and at the same time one of those for which people feel the most embarrassment, avoiding going to the doctor and resorting to do-it-yourself remedies. Although it is not a serious problem, however, going to the family doctor is always the best option, especially if constipation comes on suddenly. In some cases, in fact, constipation can hide a more serious problem, such as a tumor.
There are cases in which constipation can be physiological: this is what happens in newborns who still consume milk, or in pregnant women. In general, we speak of constipation when evacuation occurs less than 3 times a week; among other symptoms there are stomach bloating, painful evacuation and hard stools.
Constipation can be caused by many factors: among these we find a diet poor in fruit and vegetables, the habit of drinking little, sedentary lifestyle, stress and the use of some drugs. For this reason, constipation often affects the elderly, who tend to move and drink little. There are also some foods that can cause or worsen constipation: among these we find rice, potatoes, carrots, bananas, tea, red wine, cured meats and dairy products. Coffee, on the other hand, seems to have a beneficial effect.
Before resorting to the use of laxatives – which must always be recommended by a doctor and not taken independently, as they can have serious side effects – it is however possible to try to solve the problem by changing your habits: for example, enriching your diet with cooked vegetables such as spinach and cauliflower, with fruit such as kiwis, drinking more and doing more exercise.
Another possible ally against constipation is olive oil: it is a food that helps soften stools and lubricate the intestinal walls, and can be taken in two ways: integrating it into your diet – for example, seasoning steamed vegetables with raw olive oil – or drinking a tablespoon of raw oil every morning. This grandmother’s remedy is extremely effective against constipation, and has no contraindications: it can in fact be used even during pregnancy, by children and the elderly.
If the idea of drinking a tablespoon of oil in the morning is not very appealing, you can dilute it in a few drops of lemon juice: not only will you get a good dose of vitamin C, but you will stimulate the digestive system and help the colon to purify itself. There are those who prefer to take it as a capsule supplement or by drinking a minimal amount every day of olive leaf infusion, an extraordinary plant rich in polyphenols considered a true ally for health.
The ideal olive oil to use as a laxative is extra virgin, cold-extracted from mechanical pressing. Unlike other laxatives, moreover, olive oil does not irritate the intestinal mucosa and does not lead to atony, that condition in which the intestine becomes dependent on the laxative. Naturally, olive oil is not a panacea: you cannot limit yourself to taking a tablespoon of oil every morning, but you will also have to follow all the previously listed indications regarding diet and lifestyle. By doing so, you will be able to get rid of constipation in a short time and live in a healthier way.
To benefit fully from its virtues, the oil must be of good quality: it is important to choose it carefully and make sure it comes from a certified supply chain.
It is good to remember that oil is a high-calorie food. Let’s consume it in moderation and consult our doctor, especially in the presence of pathologies.
Technician and expert in extra virgin olive oils, registered in the National Register, Campania section. Master oil miller with diploma, obtained from International Extravirgin Agency.
Pre-orders are open.
Receive the first batches as soon as they are available.
