Two tablespoons of EVOO daily can lower blood pressure

Daily use of at least two tablespoons of EVOO can lower blood pressure.  That’s the finding by the University of California Davis Centre.

By way of background, it has been known for some time that what is known as the Mediterranean diet is good for you.  The Mediterranean style diet is now recommended by governments, scientists and health professionals as an example of a nutritional gold standard with a considerable body of evidence to support very significant beneficial effects on health and wellness

Olives and Extra Virgin Olive Oil as the main source of healthy fat, with additional powerful bioactive compounds, is central to the Mediterranean Diet. There is increasing evidence describing the unique and powerful role of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) at the heart of the Mediterranean Diet.

And central to EVOO’s health benefits is phenols.  Due to minimal processing, EVOO is the only oil that retains important natural phenols. EVOO has minimal processing: the fruit is crushed and the juice is extracted. In contrast, the other grades of olive oil (“pure” and “light”), as well as inexpensive oils such as soybean and canola, go through an industrial refining process that strips away phenols. It is worth noting that phenolic content diminishes with time, and particularly when exposed to heat, light and oxidation, so EVOO should be stored in a cool dark place and used within a couple months of opening a container.

UC Davis Centre found that EVOO can reduce blood pressure. They completed a meta-analysis of key studies and found that EVOO with a total phenol content of at least 161 mg/kg at a minimum intake of two tablespoons (25 ml) a day could significantly decrease systolic blood pressure in as little as three weeks and that EVOO may also decrease diastolic blood pressure.  It is worth noting that Manna Hill Estate organic extra virgin olive oil has a phenol content significantly in excess of 161 mg/kg.  So, you can add this to the reasons to enjoy Manna Hill Estate EVOO - not only does it have tremendous flavour but it is also good for you!