Olive oil is made from olives that
grow on olive trees, most often those in the Mediterranean region.right up
arrow After harvest, olives are crushed into a paste, which is put through
a centrifugation process to separate the oil.right up arrow The final
product is stored in stainless steel tanks that are protected from oxygen
and sunlight. When bottled, the oil should go into a dark glass bottle to
keep it fresh.
Olive oil is largely known as one of
the best fats you can eat, particularly for heart health. One study looked
at more than 7,200 women age 55 and older who were at a high risk of heart
disease. It found that those who consumed the most olive oil in the
context of a Mediterranean diet had as much as a 35 percent and 48 percent
lower risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, respectively, compared
with those who consumed the least amount of the oil.right up arrow For
each 10 g of extra-virgin olive oil (nearly 1 tbsp) eaten a day, risk of
cardiovascular disease fell by 10 percent and death from cardiovascular
disease fell by 7 percent.
In each tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, you will find: