Uses and Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

　

 

By 3fatchicks.com

　

Extra virgin olive oil, unlike other varieties, is characterized by a distinctive flavor and by certain amounts of nutrients. The manufacturing process is also not the same, and this fact determines the majority of the differences.

Extra virgin olive oil is widely used, especially in the Mediterranean cuisine. Some of the foods to which it can be added include:

  

*Dips  *Salads *Soups  *Stews  *Stir fried foods

 

This variety of olive oil is healthier than canola or vegetable oil, has antioxidant properties due to its content of polyphenolic phytonutrients, and is considered a very good source of vitamin E. Extra virgin olive oil is also able to decrease low density lipoprotein ("bad" cholesterol) levels, thus helping in the prevention of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. More than that, this variety is able to increase the concentration of high density lipoprotein, which is used for destroying fat deposits found in the blood vessel walls.