Olive oil is the extract of the fruit from an olive tree that is commonly used in Mediterranean cooking, where 95 percent of today’s olive trees are growing. Olive oil is preferable to other types of oil, because it contains more monounsaturated fats which have been linked to the reduction of the risk of heart disease.
Many experts attribute its use in the Mediterranean diet and the correspondingly low incidence of heart disease as evidence that it lowers your risk of contracting the disease. The FDA advises replacing saturated fat with two tablespoons of olive oil daily in order to reap the benefits. Olive oils also lower blood sugar levels as well as blood pressure.
Olive oils are divided into various grades with extra virgin olive oil being the least processed. As it is the least processed, extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest oilive oil you can consume.
Olive oil also has laxative properties and is often used as a stool softener. Olive oil also rarely causes allergic reactions and is therefore used in making wide varieties of drugs.
