by Karen Jones

Created on: July 06, 2008   Last Updated: July 23, 2008

Olive oil is one of nature's best kept secrets; the medicinal and culinary benefits of which have only recently been discovered. Do the delicious plump sun-ripened olives of continental Europe harbor the secret to longevity and better health that we all strive for? It appears that perhaps the continental olive-rich diet does indeed have many benefits that we would all be well-advised to heed.

It is not a simple coincidence that olives and olive-oil extracts have caused a culinary revolution; the enhance taste of meals bears witness to the improvements that can be achieved with very little effort. Once tried, you'll wonder how you ever managed to cook without olive oil before. It is not addictive; just extremely pleasurable.

The delicate extra-virgin oil is obtained from the very first mechanical cold-press stage of the olive oil extraction process; this is the premium, most beneficial purity of oil that you should be purchasing. Depending on the origin of the olive, the oil can take on a variety of wonderful flavours. If you are purchasing directly from the grower ask for a sample of the produce; you will not be disappointed.

The regular blends of mass produced, heat-extracted oils are cheaper, but can be of an inferior quality, taste, and benefit to you; ideally, purchase the best oil you can afford. Even the cheap blends are still preferable to using other vegetable or animal fats in your cooking.

So what are the culinary and health benefits? Firstly, the light aromatic oil tastes wonderful; enhancing the flavour of many dishes without leaving an unpleasant greasy after-taste. Secondly, it is renowned for reducing unhealthy levels of high cholesterol, thus reducing the risk of heart disease which is increasing in western society. Thirdly, it aids the digestive process, since it passes through the digestive tract rather than being absorbed in large quantities. The final, and most important benefit is that it mops up the free-radicals which can induce cancers in humans. This is an interesting fact, isn't it? Did you ever think that something as inexpensive and pleasurable as eating foods containing olive oil could ultimately save your life? It is certainly something to savour.

Olive oil has been the reserve of continental european diets until recent decades; a diet which induces healthier, longer, and more energetic lifestyles on the whole. One word of warning though, it tastes so good that you might be inclined to 'over-use' it in your cooking; too much fat of any kind in a diet can lead to obesity.

Replace your normal cooking oils, butter or animal fats for olive oil (or olive enriched spreads) when you fry foods, oven bake, or make pastries. You don't need to use much, as it spreads really easily. There is no nasty greasy after-taste; even your guests and family will comment on the improved flavour. Another advantage is that less smoke is produced in your kitchen.

The Italians have an interesting technique of drizzling a little oil on top of cooked meals (such a pizza) and salads, just prior to serving them - the food tastes absolutely phenomenal. Don't take my word for it; try it for yourself: you'll never look back on the experience.

Remember, everydrop that you ingest is helping your heart and digestion. The end result is that you will look good, feel great and live longer!

Learn more about this author, Karen Jones.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.