How Much Olive Oil Per Day Is Recommended?
Olive oil has existed for thousands and thousands of years. It’s been a staple ingredient in cuisines all over the world, and it continues to be a popular pantry item to this day. Olive oil can be used in cooking, grilling, and even baking. You name it, olive oil goes with it. And while olive oil is extremely versatile, it is so much more than a basic ingredient incorporated into everyday meals.
Olive oil is a heart-healthy, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective food item that offers numerous health advantages when consumed regularly. What are the benefits of olive oil, and how much olive oil per day do you need in order to see a positive impact on your health?
Although the answers to these questions are indeed important, knowing the best type of olive oil to consume is equally as important as learning about the ideal amount of olive oil consumption. Cooking with just any ol’ oil is not the same as cooking with first cold-pressed, extra virgin, organic olive oil like those sold at Vines & Groves.The Best Type of Olive Oil
Olive oils differ in quality, which means they vary in nutritional value as well. When wondering how much olive oil per day is recommended, you need to first consider the kind of olive oil that offers the most health benefits.First Cold-Pressed Olive Oil
Olives are naturally nutrient-rich, so it’s easy to assume that all olive oils contain this natural goodness. Well unfortunately, that’s not the case.
Only certain extraction methods utilize techniques that allow the olive oil to retain the incredible health-promoting properties of olives through the manufacturing process, and some methods do not. When heat is used as part of the extraction process, the oil loses nutritional value. Comparatively, first cold-pressed olive oil is produced without the use of heat in order to not alter nutritional components.Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The term extra virgin refers to oil that was extracted from the first pressing of olives. In other words, extra virgin olive oil comes from cold-press olives.
Olive oil that is not classified as extra virgin will be labeled as refined, regular, pure, light, or extra light olive oil. Oftentimes, this regular olive oil is blended with different kinds of low-grade, processed oils such as vegetable, canola, or corn oil. And to make matters worse, it is manufactured using chemicals and heat. This refinement process, plus the addition of other oils, forces out nutrients.Organic Olive Oil
A certified organic olive oil is a product free of harsh chemicals, synthetic pesticides, and even genetic modification.
For olive oil to receive that official USDA organic seal, the manufacturers go through a rigorous certification process that includes an in-depth inspection of growing practices, soil condition, pest management, and more. In turn, organic olive oil is a high quality, premium product due to these qualification standards. The Vines & Groves olive oils are derived from organic crops located in California’s Central Valley. We utilize three varietals of olives - Arbosana (Spain), Arbequina (Spain), and Koroneiki (Greece) - grown in our very own family groves.