Posted by T.W. Anderson on Apr.07, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - Maria Toutoudaki

Few foods or drinks  can claim the time-line of the olive. Over the millennia it has been more than just a food to the people of the Mediterranean region; it has been a source of mystical healing properties, used in various rituals to promote health, as a skin-care product and natural deodorant, a fuel for lamps and torches, rubbed into the skin of the ancient Olympian athletes as they competed in the Games, and was affectionately titled “liquid gold” by the ancient poet Homer. So what is it exactly that makes olives and their byproducts so important?

Is it the taste? Rich, vibrant, and full of tongue-tingling flavor. Is it the color? A soft, golden glow that inspires thoughts of warmth and health. Or is it the soothing relief it gives to the skin, providing protection from the elements and creating a soft, supple feel that has long been associated with youthfulness and strength?

Scientifically, it is perhaps its high content of mono-unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidant substances which make olives (and more specifically, olive oil) so important. At its most basic level, olive oil helps regulate and lower the “bad” cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein, or LDL) while regulating and increasing the “good” cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein, or HDL) within the body, which can stimulate greater health benefits, such as reduced heart disease and lower blood pressure. Specifically, the Lyon Diet Heart Study showed that the Mediterranean Diet (made famous in the 1950’s) combined with a healthy lifestyle actually lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases. And while it may be a combination of  the various elements of the diet together with the oil, the true determining factor is time itself. After all, it is only with the advent of modern science that we have begun to be capable of unlocking the secrets of olive oil, yet for thousands of years this magical liquid has been promoting healthy living and enhancing the lives of countless millions, long before scientists were capable of putting it under a microscope.

Is olive oil simply divine in nature? Is it a gift from the gods, as the ancients once thought? Or is it simply so complex that modern science has yet to reach the level necessary to unlock the full secrets of this golden elixir? Regardless of which view you subscribe to, one thing is for certain: with a track record like this, it seems impossible for there to be any realistic competition.

In modern times, there are four traditional types of olive oil, although they are not the only grades produced.

• Extra Virgin - This is the highest quality olive oil produced. It is extracted using the traditional cold-press method that has been used for thousands of years. There are no chemicals used and extremely little heat–usually only enough to make the oil fluid rather than stiff. This olive oil is the purest, has the best flavor, and possesses the greatest amount of raw antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It is consumable directly upon extraction. This is the first press.
• Virgin - This is oil that is extracted during the second press of the olive.
• Pure - This olive oil is pure only in the sense that it contains only olive oil. However, it is not virgin, and is generally made up of the left-over oils from the virgin second-press. These left-overs are then refined using heat, chemicals, and filtration and combined with a small amount of higher quality oil to enhance the color and flavor.
• Light - This is the lowest quality olive oil. There is little that remains of the initial color or flavor.

It is important to note that the United States does not use the same measure of grading olive oil as the rest of the world. The International Olive Council, which is a governing body based in Madrid, Spain, established in 1959 to govern the production and proper care of the olive tree and its products, has guidelines that all of the European production companies adhere to. The United States does not have any legal obligation to follow the guidelines of the IOC, so if you happen to live in the U.S., labeling is extremely important. Since there are no legal restrictions on olive oil marketing and production in the United States, labels can be extremely deceiving. Terms such as “extra virgin” are used without meaning anything, and while a bottle may claim it is a product of one country, the actual oil may come from another country entirely, or even be a mixture of oils from several different countries. It is important to read the labeling very carefully to determine that the product you are buying is actually what it claims to be and produced in a country that adheres to the IOC guidelines on quality. Sometimes this will require additional research beyond merely reading the label if the product is produced by an American company. If in doubt, simply don’t purchase unless you can verify the product came from an IOC-certified country.

For the absolute olive oil experience, use only Extra Virgin. The flavor is far superior and the essential vitamins and minerals that have made this elixir of life so potent over the millennia are intact, especially if the product comes from an IOC-certified country where the traditional extraction methods used over the years are still in use. Extra Virgin (affectionately called EVOO by many people) has a multitude of uses. You can drizzle it on salads, use it as a substitute for butter, rub it on your skin as a lotion, or use it to cook with. The long-term affects are numerous, from youthful, supple skin that simply radiates health, to increased lifespan and reduced chance for cardiovascular diseases.

Olive oil is one of the staple products that should be included in your dietary regime for a combination of health, beauty, and longevity. This is quite possibly the most unique food product on this Earth, and since its origination around 5000 B.C. has been considered one of the most important elements in obtaining beautiful, healthy, glowing skin and a long life through inclusion as part of a healthy diet. If you are dedicated to experiencing the ultimate health trip, there is no better place to start than including olive oil in every aspect of your life.

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Posted under Food Facts, Food, Nutrition & Recipes.