In a world of increasingly heart conscious consumers the consumption of olive oil doubled between 1990 and 2000 and according to authorities will likely have doubled again by 2020. Ninety-five percent of olive oil comes from the countries bordering the Mediterranean with Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Greece being the leading produces. Because of the expected increase in consumption many believe that the major producers will just not be able to keep up with demand. There lies the opportunity for investing in olive oil.

An investor can certainly go into the business of growing olives. If he or she had an agriculture degree or, better, comes from a family with generations of experience in tending olive orchards and making oil, they may be set. However, the investor will need to find land at a reasonable price where soil conditions and climate are conducive to producing high quality olives and oil. On the other hand the investor can find an investment opportunity related to olive production. That is what this is about.

There is a company in Spain. (Spain is the world’s number one olive oil producer.) This company will work through a subsidiary in Algeria on the other side of the Mediterranean Sea to grow olives. The Algerian government is promoting a project to plant a million hectares (2.5 million acres) with olive trees for production as the fruit and for olive oil. Through its subsidiary the company will plant 1,500 hectares as an olive orchard. The company will devote 500 hectares to private investment.

Without having to till the soil, plant trees, harvest olives, grind into paste, process the paste into oil or in any way get their hands dirty an investor can profit from this endeavor. The company will be building its own modern processing plant and will have an operation that takes the olive through to the production of high quality oil from the Arbequinia olive. The potential investor would need to contact the managing representative of this project  for details. However, the investment comes down to this. After investing in the project the investor will receive interest as well as a payment of $2 per liter of oil produced for one hectare of olives. The Arbequinia olive can produce 20 liters of oil per 100 kilos of olives and is a strong producer. The investment will run for ten years and the last payment will include interest, profit on olive oil produced, and the initial investment amount.

This sort of investment is backed up by land, the olive trees, and a processing plant. Olive trees live for a long, long time. (Olive trees 2,000 years old exist around the Mediterranean.) Thus, there is a security in investing in olive trees and olive oil production. With the steadily increasing demand for olive oil this is likely to be a profitable venture far into the future. The principals in this investment estimate that investors will double their money over the ten years of the investment. With this sort of innovative thinking the company will attract those interested in both green and socially conscious investments to a project to meet a public need and grow profits as well.

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The numerous health benefits of olive oil run almost as deep as its history. It may appear simple, but in fact, is one of the most complex oils used today. In order to reap the wide range of health benefits, we must take time to understand the creation process and the different types.

History

The exact origin of olive oil remains unknown, but evidence of the existence of olives dates back farther than 6,000 years ago. As one of the oldest cultivated trees, it first grew in Crete, Greece in 3500BC. At that time, the tree spread to the Mediterranean basin, which includes African shores and Southern Europe. In 2000BC, olives were found inside Egyptian tombs; additionally, that date is when cultivation began to play a major role in the Crete economy. Crete began the first olive export to Greece, Asia Minor, and Northern Africa. Olives were a luxury in Greece and it became not only a food item, but was highly regarded as a beauty treatment.

Types of Oil

Most countries utilize the International Olive Oil Council to define quality and standards; however, the United States does not adhere to these standards. Instead, the United States follows the USDA’s 1948 Classification System, which includes the following qualities: extra-virgin, virgin, refined, pure, olive pomace, refined olive pomace, and lite. Please read the following for descriptions of the most common types:

Extra-virgin oil is the highest quality due to its high mineral and vitamin content. In order for olive oil to be considered extra-virgin, the oil must be produced by extraction methods that contain no chemicals or hot water, be first cold-pressed, have an acidity level of less than 1 percent, and have perfect taste.

Virgin olive oil, like extra-virgin, is first-cold pressed and produced without chemicals or hot water; however, virgin oil may contain an acidity level up to 3.3 percent. The flavor can vary and the taste is less mild than extra-virgin varieties.

Refined olive oil is created by refining virgin oil. The acidity level is greater than 3.3 percent; the finished product is tasteless and the odor is unpleasant.

Pure olive oil is a mix of virgin and refined. It has the same acidity level as virgin and can withstand high heat. The nutritional content is lower than virgin oil, which make it inexpensive compared to high quality oils. Pure oil is commonly used as all-purpose oil.

Light and extra-light are types of oils that contrary to the name do not contain less calories, but are a blend of refined oils that are made from the lowest quality oils created through chemical processing.

Health Benefits

Olive oil is composed of monounsaturated fat, which is considered a healthy fat. Introducing monounsaturated fats into your diet is healthier than ingesting saturated and trans fats. Monounsaturated fats offer a plethora of health benefits, when used in moderation. The following is a list of all of the wonderful health benefits it can impart.

It has the capability to lower blood pressure due to containing beneficial antioxidants, which are most prevalent in extra-virgin oil. The antioxidants, called polyphenol, are believed to be the primary source to help lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. To receive maximum benefits, men should consume four tablespoons and women should consume three tablespoons, daily.

Research shows that monounsaturated fats, as found in olive oil, contain oleic acid and is capable of reducing the instance of cancer. Oleic acid is capable of reducing the effect of the cancer forming gene, called oncogene. Olive oil is noted to positively help breast, prostate, and colon cancer.

Olive oil is able to control blood sugar specifically by lowering blood glucose levels. Diabetics, or border-line diabetics, are instructed to follow a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet. Olive oil can help control blood sugar even if diabetics switch to a high fat diet, considering most of that fat comes from olive oil.

Monounsaturated fats that are found in plant oils are best at controlling good and bad cholesterol. Consumption can help your body rid itself of bad cholesterol, known as LDL cholesterol. Additionally, this oil does not negatively effect the levels of good cholesterol, known as HDL cholesterol. In fact, it can even raise the levels of HLD cholesterol providing a double benefit.

Researchers state that the extra-virgin variety contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient. The ingredient, oleocanthal, helps it to act as a pain reducer, much like over-the-counter aspirin. It will not show immediate results, but can provide pain reducing benefits if consistently ingested over a period of time.

How to Cook with Olive Oil

Now that the health benefits have been explained, let’s discuss some of the common methods of how to cook with this oil.

High quality, extra-virgin oils should be reserved for use in dressings, dips, and vinaigrettes. Replace oil for butter in baked potatoes, or brush onto cooked vegetables or fish. Sprinkle rosemary, basil, cracked black pepper, and sea salt on top of extra-virgin oil for a delicious bread dip.

If you are to saut or fry, choose a combination oil which is a mix of extra-virgin and regular olive oil. Use olive oil grade for deep-frying which works wonderful due to its high smoke point of 410 degrees Fahrenheit.

One additional way to incorporate olive oil into your diet: use it for non-stick oil when a recipe calls for butter or spray oil. Drizzle onto your pan and spread evenly with a paper towel to ensure complete coverage.

Who Should Avoid Olive Oil

Allergies are uncommon, but should not be ignored. In most cases, an allergy is a mild occurrence and the symptoms will go away in a short amount of time. On the other hand, a person can experience a more severe allergic reaction, which can lead to anaphylactic shock. A person who suspects an allergy should take note of the following symptoms: stomach or chest pain, rash, migraine, or red, itchy eyes. These allergies are rare and as a key part of theMediterraneandiet, the Health Benefits Of Olive Oil are well recognized and enjoyed by millions.

There are many common foods that are beneficial for health. For more on the health benefits of honey or how red wine benefits your diet visit thehealthbenefitsof.com.

Oleuropein is a tyrosol ester and phytonutrient that can be sourced from green olives, olive leaves and olive oil. It is very effective at fighting free radicals and early studies indicate that it may also act in a protective capacity in other areas of the body. In this article I will be looking at oleuropein in detail and outlining its main health benefits.

1) DISCOVERY:

Awareness of oleuropein dates back thousands of years. It was used by the ancient Mediterraneans to treat infections, fevers and pain and by the ancient Egyptians to perform mummifications. However, it was not isolated until many years later in the late 1800s.

2) HEALTH BENEFITS:

Oleuropein is a powerful antioxidant that protects your body’s cells from damaging free radicals. Free radicals are nasty substances that are released into your body’s cells during oxygen based reactions and have been linked with an increased risk of cancer (a health disorder which leads to your cells growing in a rapid, out of control way), diabetes (a health disorder which leads to your blood glucose levels becoming dangerously high), premature ageing and a weak immune system.

According to early studies, this tyrosol ester may also have further health benefits in humans. For starters, it may be an antibacterial (a substance that kills or slows down the growth of bacteria), antifungal (a substance which treats fungal infections), anti-inflammatory (a substance which prevents unnecessary inflammation in the body) and antiviral (a substance that kills or slows down the growth of viruses). It may also prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease. Finally, it may keep your skin cells safe from damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays, reduce blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that causes blockages in the artery walls and increases your heart disease risk), reduce high blood pressure and boost your immune system.

3) FOOD SOURCES:

Olives, olive leaves and olive oil are the only natural food sources of oleuropein but it can also be found in olive leaf extracts.

4) OVERDOSE SYMPTOMS:

Consuming high levels of natural oleuropein has no reported side effects. However, it is still not clear what effect large amounts of supplements containing this tyrosol ester have on blood cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure. Therefore, people with blood related health disorders such as diabetes and high blood pressure should check with their doctor before consuming any supplements. Pregnant women are also advised to check with their doctor before consuming supplements containing this phytonutrient.

5) SUMMARY:

Although very few studies have been performed on oleuropein, those that are available are very promising. Not only is this tyrosol ester an impressive antioxidant but it may also keep your blood healthy, fight various diseases and more. So make sure your kitchen contains plenty of olive oil and start enjoying all the health benefits of oleuropein.

Tom Parker owns Free Fitness Tips – a fantastic source of free, impartial fitness advice. You can learn more about oleuropein and the other tyrosol esters by visiting Free Fitness Tips.