Olive oil benefits and uses

Olive Oil: Importance and Uses

Oil plays a major role in traditional Indian cooking. Till a few years back, the popular or the most preferred choice for cooking was limited to Sunflower, Groundnut, and Mustard or Sesame oil. But the scenario has changed slowly ever since Olive Oil made an entry into the Indian markets. It has started replacing the regular cooking oil in most of the health conscious families.

Why Olive Oil to Cook Food?

Even though it’s native to the Mediterranean island, it has been adopted by Indians too due to its various health benefits. The best and the most important benefit being the ability to reduce the risk of heart diseases significantly due to a high level of monounsaturated fats present in it.

Benefits of Using Olive Oil

Rich in anti-oxidants

Anti-oxidants are the best fighters against cholesterol, blood pressure, helps in releasing good hormones. We are often advised to include plenty of berries and citrus fruits in our diet as they are the best sources of anti-oxidants! Olive oil is also known for being rich in anti-oxidants which help in fighting the above problem. Consuming raw olives or in the oil, form can have a great impact on the overall health of a person.

Reduces risk of heart diseases

Using olive oil in your diet is that it lowers the risk of heart disease significantly! It lowers the level of bad cholesterol and increases the level of good cholesterol as it is rich in monounsaturated fats. It lowers the inflammation, improves the lining of blood vessels and even prevents excessive blood clotting.

Reduces the risk of Type 2 diabetes

Studies show that the compounds present in Olive oil have beneficial effects on sugar levels and are shown to be highly insulin sensitive. And as we all know, the lack of insulin production in our body or insulin resistance leads to diabetes. So, people suffering from diabetes should make Olive oil a part of their routine.

Although it is good to include Olive oil in our diet, it should be done in moderation. Olives oils are also rich in fats and hence consuming it excessively can cause weight gain and related health issues.  Also, consuming raw olives can increase the level of sodium in your body as they are processed with Salt to preserve them for longer duration and also to do away with their bitter taste.

Best way to consume Olives is in the oil form and what better option than a Cooking Spray! Cooking Sprays not only provide all the benefits of Olive oil but also helps in maintaining the calorie intake of your diet.