The health benefits of olive oil are well evidenced. |
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We look at how Italian olive oil benefits the people of Le Marche, Italy, and how it can benefit you.
From ancient Roman times Italy has been famous world-wide for a great lifestyle, for people who care about looking after their bodies, and as a country where people live to a good age.
Italian olive oil benefits : live longer!
Of all developed countries people from Italy live the longest - an average of nearly eighty-three years for women and seventy-seven for men.
In Le Marche, where we are lucky enough to have our house, that figure gets even better : eighty-four years for women and seventy-eight for men.
Furthermore, obesity in Italy is currently as low as 8% of the population compared with nearly 31% in America, 23% in the UK and 13% even in other Mediterranean cultures like Spain. (Source : Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development).
Italian olive oil benefits : live better!
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It’s not unusual near our house to see gentlemen in their 60s and 70s clad in Lycra riding their racing bikes up and down the 15% hills.
Nor is it unusual to see ladies in their 80s and 90s working on the land and walking miles up and down those same demanding slopes.
A diet including wonderfully fresh fruit and vegetables, much grown locally and almost all from within Italy, is a big factor, but the health benefits of the locally grown wonderful fresh, green (yes green!) extra extra virgin olive oil cannot be underestimated.
Italian olive oil benefits : live healthier!
A wide range of international medical studies (see for example ‘Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases’ : report of a WHO Study Group) have shown the health benefits of olive oil in helping to reduce the likelihood of heart disease and some cancers.
Why?
Because it's rich in mono-unsaturated fatty acids and, particularly in the case of extra virgin olive oil, has very high levels of antioxidants which are known to be important in the body’s ability to fight the development of cancerous cells.
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There’s even some evidence that the use of olive oil can have a positive effect on weight control.
And best of all – it just tastes great. So - cook with it, eat it, drink it - however you use it, you’ll be glad you did!
If you’d like to know more about our life with an Italian olive grove, come and visit our Facebook page by following the link - and if you do, please take a moment to press the ‘like’ button so we know you’ve visited!
We also have a Twitter page you can follow at OurItalianHome - look forward to seeing you there!
Until you've tried it, you've no idea just how much more delicious fresh, extra virgin olive oil makes Italian breads taste. Try our very own Focaccia bread recipe and find out!
Olive oil benefits
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