D-Limonene: Enriching Extra Virgin Olive Oil
When olive oil is combined with lemon, not only its flavor is multiplied, but also its benefits and properties.Read more
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Your Secret Weapon Against Cholesterol
According to the Study of Nutrition and Vascular Risk in Spain (Enrica), 23 million Spaniards exceed the maximum level of blood cholesterol recommended by cardiologists at 200 milligrams per cubic centimeter. To fight against this terrible enemy of our cardiovascular system, it is essential to have a healthy and balanced diet, in which we do not abuse saturated fats.
The strategies in our diet seem more than obvious, but within this diet we must give special importance to the faithful protectors of our arteries, antioxidants. Luckily, in our country we have a valuable ally in our fight against cholesterol: olive oil, one of the most important sources of antioxidants in the Spanish diet. By taking extra virgin olive oil daily, we will absorb healthy fatty acids and reduce our cholesterol level. Olive oil is able to reduce the risk of heart attack by 41%. In those people with metabolic syndrome, who have risk factors for cardiovascular disease, it is shown that olive oil acts as a protector against inflammation caused by oxidative attacks of free radicals. Effect that does not happen with sunflower oil.
Thinking about this excessive prevalence of cholesterol disease, which mainly affects the male population, we have designed a special anti-cholesterol pack consisting of a range of healthier products. The pack includes: iO Antioxidant with Lycopene, iO Black, Truffle Caviar, Olive Seed Flour and Olive Seed. And all this in one of our gift boxes 'Thinking of you'. If you are interested in this pack, click on the following link: PACK ANTICHOLESTEROL
Benefits Of Lycopene: Much More Than A Pigment
After speaking in an earlier post of the perfect marriage between lycopene and extra virgin olive oil, we want to make it today about the many health benefits of this carotenoid. Lycopene has multiple antioxidant properties and acts to protect cells from the action of free radicals, which are mainly responsible for cardiovascular diseases, cancer and aging. In addition, it favors the regulation of the cell cycle and is even capable of reversing certain cancerous and prostate lesions.
The biological or physicochemical bases of the properties of lycopene are not exactly known, but they seem to be related to the high antioxidant power of this healthy pigment, which is much greater than other similar antioxidants such as vitamin E or β-carotene. . A large number of carcinogenic and degenerative processes are associated with oxidative damage on the genome and the genetic mechanisms of control of cell proliferation and differentiation. The lycopene would act as a powerful neutralizer of free radicals (oxide and peroxide) attenuating oxidative damage on tissues. All these antioxidant properties are enhanced when lycopene is ingested with extra virgin olive oil, due to the fact that it considerably increases the percentage of this carotenoid.
Among the main benefits of lycopene, we can highlight:
- Delays the signs of aging: it is able to prevent skin damage caused by the incidence of UV rays on it. In addition, it can reduce the risk of suffering from osteoporosis, at the same time that it favors the health of teeth and gums, due to its antibacterial properties.
- Prostate disease: a diet rich in lycopene, is closely related to a lower risk of suffering prostate cancer. Several studies agree that lycopene intake is related to a reduction in prostate-specific antigen levels (a protein that often occurs at high levels in patients with prostate cancer)
- Cardiovascular diseases: the consumption of lycopene significantly reduces the oxidation of lipids, and very particularly LDL (bad cholesterol), decreasing the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases.
Lycopene Oil: The Perfect Match
The tomato is one of the most important agricultural products that exist in the whole world. It is a food that is very present in the Mediterranean diet and whose properties are the most healthy for the organism, such as its low caloric content, its almost non-existent cholesterol and its high fiber and protein content. In addition, tomatoes are rich in vitamin A, C, E, potassium, beta-carotene and lycopene. The latter is a chemical that exists naturally and that is responsible for the characteristic red color. It is one of the most abundant pigments in tomatoes called carotenoids, since it comprises approximately 80-90% of the pigments present. The amount of lycopene in fresh tomatoes may vary depending on the species, its maturity and the environmental conditions in which it is produced. Normally tomatoes contain about 3 to 5 mg of lycopene per 100 g of raw tomato.
In tomato, as in other products is present, lycopene is bound to its matrix, so its complete release is complex and hinders the total absorption in the digestive system. Due to its liposoluble nature, we will improve the absorption of lycopene mixing it with olive oil, enhancing its multiple antioxidant properties. In this way, extra virgin olive oil with lycopene is the perfect combination for both products, making it a perfect tandem for toast, pasta, salads and in general any dish of Mediterranean cuisine.
Benefits of EVOO
Mediterranean diet with olive oil enhances the cardioprotective effects of 'good cholesterol'.