HEALTH PLUS: Olive oil is packed full of health-giving properties.COBURG, Western Australia
(Moreland Leader), June 12, 2008:
KNOWN in ancient times as "juice of the gods", olive oil has only enhanced its reputation over the years.
While it may not be the ticket to immortality, there is evidence that it can lead to a longer and healthier life.
"The traditional Mediterranean diet is high in olive oil and certainly there's evidence to suggest these people live longer and have fewer lifestyle diseases than we get in Australia," said Alan Barclay, from the Dieticians' Association of Australia.
"Of course there are many other factors that are part of the Mediterranean diet but olive oil is a big part of it."
Nutritionally, olive oil is a complex substance, jam-packed full of health-giving properties.
"It's one of the best sources of monounsaturated fats and definitely one of the tastiest," Mr Barclay said.
"The nearest competitor is canola oil, which is also high in omega 3 fat content, but not as high in antioxidants as olive oil. Olive oil is also more versatile than canola, which is pretty tasteless."
Unlike some polyunsaturated oils, olive oil is less likely to form harmful trans fatty acids when overheated.
"Olive oils help to lower the LDL bad cholesterol and raise the HDL good cholesterol," Mr Barclay said. "So the effect on blood cholesterol is a positive one compared with animal fats and saturated fats."
He said extra virgin olive oil had the greatest levels of antioxidants with light olive oil the least. Regardless of the quality, you should restrict consumption to a maximum of two tablespoons a day, he said.
Unfortunately, the word on olives themselves is not as favourable. "Olives have a lot of goodness but they are also very high in salt," Mr Barclay said.
"Olives are something you should consider a treat."
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