How Antioxidants in Olive Oil Support Heart Health
Did you know? Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is packed with antioxidants called polyphenols that protect your heart. These compounds improve blood flow, keep arteries flexible, and balance cholesterol levels by reducing "bad" LDL oxidation and boosting "good" HDL. To maximize these benefits, choose high-quality EVOO, check the harvest date, and use it within nine months of pressing.
Key Takeaways:
- Polyphenols in EVOO support heart health by improving blood vessel function and cholesterol balance.
- Use EVOO raw or for low-heat cooking (up to 410°F) to preserve its benefits.
- Opt for fresh, cold-pressed EVOO with high polyphenol content for the best results.
EVOO isn’t just a cooking oil - it’s a heart-friendly powerhouse. Keep reading to learn how to pick the best EVOO and incorporate it into your daily meals.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Heart Health
How Antioxidants in Olive Oil Work
Extra virgin olive oil contains antioxidant polyphenols that help combat free radicals and lower oxidative stress. These antioxidants play a key role in supporting blood vessel health and maintaining cholesterol levels.
Big Horn Olive Oil internal testing.
Olive Oil Antioxidants and Your Heart
Blood Vessel Support
Polyphenols in olive oil help keep arteries flexible, aiding in proper blood flow and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. This can reduce the risk of heart-related issues. To get the most benefit, opt for high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and use it within nine months of its crush date for maximum effectiveness [2].
Cholesterol Benefits
Polyphenols also play a role in cholesterol health by preventing the oxidation of LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) and boosting HDL (the "good" cholesterol). This improves the balance between HDL and LDL, promoting overall heart health [3].
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Daily Uses for Heart-Healthy Olive Oil
Easy Ways to Incorporate Olive Oil
Adding extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to your meals is simple and requires little effort:
Raw Uses
- Swap store-bought dressings for a homemade EVOO vinaigrette.
- Drizzle over steamed or roasted veggies just before serving.
- Make a flavorful bread dip with EVOO and your favorite herbs.
Cooking Uses
- Use EVOO for low-heat sautéing, roasting, and baking (up to 410°F).
For the best results, choose a fresh, unblended EVOO to maintain its antioxidant properties.
How to Choose High-Quality EVOO
The antioxidants in olive oil come from polyphenols, which depend on freshness and processing. Keep these factors in mind when shopping for EVOO:
What to Look For
- Check the harvest date and aim to use the oil within nine months of pressing.
- Opt for smaller bottles to ensure the oil stays fresh and is used within weeks after opening.
- Make sure it’s 100% extra virgin and cold-pressed shortly after harvest.
- Look for oils rich in antioxidant polyphenols.
- Choose oils with a smoke point of up to 410°F for versatile cooking.
Olive Oil vs Other Cooking Fats
Now that you know how to choose high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), let’s see how it stacks up against other cooking fats.
Different fats impact heart health in different ways. High-quality EVOO contains antioxidant polyphenols and can handle heat up to 410°F, keeping those heart-friendly compounds intact during most cooking methods. Unlike butter and coconut oil, EVOO retains more polyphenols at common cooking temperatures and provides unsaturated fats that help maintain healthier cholesterol levels.
Summary
EVOO polyphenols play a key role in supporting heart health by protecting arteries, improving cholesterol levels, and reducing inflammation. To get the most out of these benefits, it's crucial to choose EVOO with high polyphenol content.
Big Horn Olive Oil's Ultra Premium EVOO is a standout option. They select the finest 5% of olives, ship within three months of pressing, and maintain high polyphenol levels, even when cooking at temperatures up to 410°F. Unlike butter or coconut oil, EVOO preserves these beneficial compounds under most cooking conditions.
For the best heart-health benefits, opt for pure, cold-pressed EVOO and ensure it stays fresh with proper storage and handling.
Big Horn Olive Oil company data, bhooc.com