What’s in Extra Virgin Olive oil and Why Does It Improve my Health?

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has been referred to as liquid gold for the myriad of health benefits it contains. Olive oil contains many different health aiding chemical components that impart these health benefits. In this blog, we will look at a few of them:

OLEIC ACID: Extra virgin olive oil contains high amounts of oleic acid. Oleic acid is a Monounsaturated fat. This is a very healthy fat for your body. Monounsaturated fats are easily digested by your digestive system as opposed to polyunsaturated fats which are more difficult for our bodies to break down and can contribute to inflammation in the digestive tract and body. Monounsaturated fat, contained in Oleic acid, is important in the prevention of coronary artery disease and stroke. Oleic acid also helps regulate lipid levels, lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol.

PHENOLS: Extra virgin olive oil is full of phenols that impart many health benefits. Phenols provide brain health benefits, improve insulin sensitivity, fight inflammation, increase blood flow, fight free radical change and cancer. Let’s look at a few of the phenols found in olive oil:

Hydroxytyrosol– Is one of the phenols in olive oil that has a myriad of positive health benefits. Hydroxytyrosol affects cardiovascular disease, promotes dilation of blood vessels enhancing blood flow, and reduces endothelial dysfunction – all factors in cardiovascular disease. This phenol scavenges free radicals, reduces oxidative stress and modulates inflammatory response. Hydroxytyrosol has been studied as to its effect on breast cancer and those studies have shown its ability to kill breast cancer cells. More studies are being conducted.

Squalene: This phenol found in olive oil is very protective of the skin. Squalene is frequently found in cosmetics and is derived from shark liver but recent studies show high amounts of squalene in olive oil. In fact, the Spicy Olive now lists the amount of squalene in our Ultra Premium olive oils for our customers. Squalene is a tissue repairer, used in wound healing. This phenol has a chemopreventive effect on some types of cancers, is beneficial to heart disease and diabetes. Squalene prevents skin damage, has anti inflammatory properties and prevents atherosclerotic lesions. There are many studies being conducted on this phenol with more exciting benefits to be announced- stay tuned.

Oleocanthal: This is the most studied phenol in olive oil. Oleocanthal is not found in any other plant or food source, surprisingly not even in olives, only in extra virgin olive oil. Oleocanthal is a powerful anti inflammtory agent and produces the bitter, cough producing sensation in the back of the throat that many feel when they taste EVOO on it’s own. This is a great sensation because you know your olive oil is full of this healthy component. Oleocanthal works in your body the same way ibuprofen does to inhibit inflammation and pain. This phenol has been shown to have brain health benefits and cancer fighting properties.

Many of the phenols have similar health benefits and it is theorized that they have a synergistic effect working together to provide health benefits. This may be why olive oil is such a health miracle. Dr. Mary Flynn, olive oil researcher at Brown University, states “no other food comes close to extra virgin olive oil for the prevention and treatment of disease.”

FREE RADICAL FIGHTING AGENTS: Olive oil also contains vitamins and other agents that fight free radicals that benefit your health.

A Tocopherol- Vitamin E Olive oil has high amounts of Vitamin E and The Spicy Olive also lists Vitamin E levels on our fusti tags for our Ultra Premium olive oils. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that prevents cell damage caused by free radicals.This action slows the aging process and helps fight cancer formation.

Extra virgin olive is truly remarkable for the number of health benefits it imparts. That is the reason we advocate including 2 Tablespoons of olive oil a day for your health!

Spicy Olive Ultrs Premium oliv eoils

The Spicy Olive and Why We Promote Olive Oil Chemistry

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Spicy Olive Ultrs Premium oliv eoils

Health Benefits of Olive oil

https://dayton247now.com/good-day-dayton/the-spicy-olive-explains-the-health-benefits-of-their-fresh-olive-oils

The Good Day Dayton show visited the Spicy Olive in West Chester to learn about the olive oils sold there. Melanie Cedargren, owner of The Spicy Olive, explains the health benefits of olive oil and why buying olive oil that is fresh and recently crushed is so important! Stop in at The Spicy Olive and taste the difference fresh makes!

February is Heart Health Month

Olive oil is an important food to have in your diet if you are trying to improve your heart health. Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat, which is a heart healthy fat. Olive oil lowers blood pressure, raises good cholesterol levels and lowers bad cholesterol. It has also be found to decrease plaque deposits in arteries in studies.

February is Heart Health month so this is the perfect time to stop into The Spicy Olive and add our healthy and delicious olive oils to your diet. Your heart will thank you!

The Spicy Olive’s Blueberry Smoothie

The olive oils at The Spicy Olive are full of healthy biophenols that aid your health in a myriad of ways! One of those biophenols is oleocanthal. Oleocanthal is a potent anti inflammatory agent! Two tablespoons of our wonderful healthy olive oil is so good for you and here is a great recipe to make it tasty and easy!

Recipes From May 2016 Newsletter

 

May Recipes Featuring the Flavors of the Month:

 Baked Kale Chips

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups kale leaves, washed, dried, and cut into 1/2″ pieces, with tough stems removed
  • 2 tablespoons Harissa Olive Oil, Chipotle, Milanese Gremolata, Tuscan Herb or Blood Orange could also be used
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.

In  a large bowl toss the kale with Harissa olive oil, paprika, and salt.  Arrange the leaves in a single layer on the baking sheet lined with parchment.  Bake until crisp and beginning to turn golden-brown at the edges, about 20-25 minutes

The Spicy Olive’s Shrimp Scampi

2 Tablespoons The Spicy Olive’s Milanese Gremolata
1 onion or a shallot,  diced
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
2 Tablespoons The Spicy Olive’s Sicilian Lemon white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup white wine
1 Tablespoon capers
2 lbs. large raw shrimp, clean, peeled and deveined
Parmesan cheese to taste
2 Tablespoons butterSaute onion or shallot in Milanese Gremolata olive oil in a large skillet. Add garlic, salt and pepper, Sicilian Lemon balsamic, white wine and capers. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and simmer for about 7 minutes, until shrimp are almost done. Add butter to pan and stir into sauce. This should thicken the sauce, you can add more butter if desired. Serve over pasta, rice or toasted french bread slices and top with parmesan cheese. Delicious!The Spicy Olive’s Citrus Salad

2 tbsp. walnuts or pecans, chopped
6 oz. bag of mixed greens
2 naval oranges, peeled and sectioned
1 large grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
1 pear, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
Dressing:
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive Sicilian Lemon or Grapefruit White Balsamic Vinegar
1/2 cup The Spicy Olive Blood Orange Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
3 tbsp. orange juice

Mix salad greens and fruit in a salad bowl. Whisk together the dressing ingredients except for the olive oil. Add oil in steady stream, whisking constantly until well incorporated. Pour over salad and serve.

The Spicy Olive’s Roasted Broccoli

1 bunch of broccoli, washed and cut into spears
Mortar and Pestle’s Citrus Herb Seasoning
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Milanese Gremolata olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Place broccoli in a ziplock bag. Pour Milanese Gremolata over broccoli and seal. Shake bag until broccoli is evenly coated. Spread on a baking sheet.
Sprinkle with Mortar and Pestle’s Citrus Herb seasoning. Place in oven and roast for 20 minutes until broccoli is crisp tender. Enjoy!

Recipes From May 2015 Newsletter

Beauty Regime Recipes:
Here is a unique idea to pamper Mom! 
Make a great face wash using our local honey and fresh olive oils. Honey promotes skin healing and has natural antimicrobial properties. Olive oil is full of antioxidant vitamins A & E and is a great moisturizer!
Just use a teaspoon of honey and add a few drops of Lemon or Blood Orange olive oil to the honey. Mix together and rub on your face to clean. Use a little olive oil as a moisturizer after washing!
Spicy Olive Salt or Sugar Scrub
Fill decorative jar with coarse sea salt or sugar crystals. Fill jar with The Spicy Olive’s Lemon or Blood Orange olive oil and put on lid. Mom can use a small spoon to scoop out a little into the palm of her hand and exfoliate away any rough spots on her hands as she washes! The Lemon or Blood Orange oil leaves hands with a great fresh scent!
 
The Spicy Olive Citrus Salad
Featuring The May Flavors of the Month
2 Tbsp walnuts or pecans, chopped
6-8 oz. mixed field greens
2 naval oranges, peeled and sectioned
1 large grapefruit, peeled and sectioned
1 pear, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup seedless grapes, halved
Dressing:
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Grapefruit white balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Milanese Gremolata or Blood Orange olive oil
1/2 teas salt & pepper each
3 Tbsp Orange juice or Grapefruit juice
Mix salad greens and fruit in a salad bowl. Whisk together ingredients except for the olive oil. Add oil in steady stream, whisking constantly until well incorporated. Pour over salad and serve.
The Spicy Olive Asian Chicken Salad
Jann Carrier from WC store recipe update
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Japanese Roasted Sesame oil
6 Tbsp. The Spicy Olive’s Honey Ginger balsamic
1/4 cup The Spicy Olive’s Mild Single Varietal olive oil
2 Tbsp Steinke’s local honey
1/2 tsp pepper
4 cups cooked chicken
2  3 oz package ramen noodles
1 pkg Dole shredded Asian slaw blend
3/4 cup toasted almond slivers
3-4 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds
1 small can mandarin oranges, drained
In a small bowl, whisk together sesame oil, olive oil, Honey ginger balsamic, honey, salt, pepper and 1/2 of 1 flavoring packet from ramen noodles. Set aside.
Crush ramen noodles and place in salad bowl and coat with 1/3 of salad dressing. Add chicken, slaw mix, almonds, green onions, and sesame seeds to noodle mixture and mix well. Add remaining salad dressing. Chill before serving.
** This is a great salad for Mother’s Day get togethers or Memorial Day picnics!

What’s better than extra virgin?

 At The Spicy Olive we have always prided ourselves on bringing our customers the freshest, healthiest and best olive oils. As we head into the new year, we will be bringing in olive oils that are even better than extra virgin. This new level of quality is called ultra premium.


We are currently in the process of transitioning all of our olive oils from extra virgin to ultra premium (all of our single varietals have made the switch), so the next time you visit we will probably have several of them available! The biggest benefit of this change is that our flavored olive oils will be fresher. By making this transition, we will be able to implement our dual hemispheric model, which enables us to use ultra premium olive oil from around the world and deliver the freshest olive oil to you.

It seems that consumers focus on where their olive oil is produced, when they really should consider when, what and how the oil is made. By using the ultra premium (UP) standard focuses on the chemistry and freshness of the olive oil. To create the best olive oil, both high quality fruit and high quality production processes are needed and the UP standard encompasses strict requirements for both the end-product and the production processes.

The UP standard was created by our suppliers Veronica Foods in response to the growing need to separate high quality extra virgin olive oils from what dominates the so-called “gourmet” and “premium” olive oil markets. We have told you before about the low standards and misinformation surrounding olive oils and we hope this new designation will help create more clarity.

Only the freshest and best olive oils will meet the UP standard – it exceeds all existing Italian, Spanish, Greek, North American, Californian or any other standard for olive oil. In order to qualify for this UP certification, the olive oil must meet or exceed a comprehensive set of production, storage, transportation, testing chemistry and organoleptic requirements. All of this is intended to promote Fair Trade practices and to promote and protect the highest quality olive oil.

If you want more information about our new UP olive oils, be sure to visit the UP website and feel free to ask next time you visit or give us a call! 

Olive Oil and Heart Health

    February is heart health month! This is a great time to look at the wonderful benefits olive oil has to keep your heart functioning properly. So many people are aware that olive oil is healthy, but many do not know why. Here is a short synopsis of what olive oil has in it and how those components benefit your heart health!

    Olive oil is full of polyphenols. Polyphenols are components found in olive oil and some other foods like tea. Polyphenols contain anti-oxidants, vitamins A, C and E, anti-inflammatory agents and cancer fighting agents because they fight oxidation, or free radical change, in the body. These components are most prevalent in fresh olive oil, which is The Spicy Olive’s specialty. All of our olive oils are fresh, the crush date is listed for you to see as well as the polyphenol levels of our single varietal olive oils. 
    The components found in olive oil impact your heart health in three ways. First, it can help lower your “bad” cholesterol levels (LDL). Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats lower LDL levels and protect against atherosclerosis (plaque build up in the arteries). Secondly, olive oil can help lower your blood pressure. Several studies have shown olive oil intake reduced the incidence of hypertension in adults. The link was found to be associated with polyphenol rich olive oils. Lastly, the antioxidants, polyphenols and oleic acid contained in olive oil protect blood lipids from oxidative stress which slows hardening of the arteries. Enjoy your olive oil, knowing it is doing wonderful things to your body!