Kasandrinos treats extra virgin olive oil like gold. We understand its value and the multiple benefits it brings you. We are confident our organic extra virgin olive oil is a compliment for any lifestyle, and our customers agree!
Today, we are going to talk about olive oil’s cholesterol-lowering benefits.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in the body and is found in all cells. Your body needs cholesterol to perform important jobs, such as making hormones and building cells. Two types of lipoproteins carry cholesterol throughout the body:
The LDL (low-density lipoprotein), sometimes called “bad” cholesterol and the HDL, (high-density lipoprotein), the good kind of cholesterol, that can lower your risk for heart disease and stroke.
Is all cholesterol bad for you?
No, definitely not. HDL is your heart's ally, as it removes extra cholesterol, plaque residue, and build-up in your arteries and then sends it to your liver which in turn gets rid of it from your body. Ultimately, this helps reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
What’s a healthy level of HDL?
You should aim to have an HDL level between 40 and 60 mg/dL, but over 60 mg/dL is ideal. Having HDL under 40 mg/dL increases your risk of developing heart disease.
Where does olive oil come into the picture?
High phenolic extra virgin olive oil can decrease your levels of bad cholesterol and increase the good kind that keeps your heart healthy and happy. Rich in monounsaturated fats, it helps you reach the desired cholesterol levels in your blood. Research shows that by reducing the consumption of saturated fatty acids and replacing them with their monounsaturated counterparts you efficiently reduce the levels of LDL, hence chances of cardiovascular disease.
Extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest fat option, whether you are consuming it raw, cooked, in baked goods, or energy smoothies. Speaking of, have you seen our ebooks? Click here to find the one you need!
Extra virgin olive oil protects LDL cholesterol (the bad kind) from oxidation, improves the lining of your blood vessels, and it may even help prevent excessive blood clotting. Multiple studies show that diets rich in virgin olive oil (like the Mediterranean) improved key HDL functions, including helping the body remove excess cholesterol from arteries, serving as an antioxidant, and keeping blood vessels open — all of which reduce cardiovascular risk.
Overall, extra virgin olive oil has been credited with balanced cholesterol levels, lower incidences of heart disease and diabetes, and longer life span.
Quality over Quantity
The quality of the oil plays an important role when it comes to both taste and health benefits.
Kasandrinos not only has a superior taste and a lower acidity level (another indicator of high quality) but also we guarantee a chemical analysis on every single batch. We only sell olive oil from the current year’s harvest to ensure premium quality and freshness. To this day, we produce our single-source olive oil the same way our ancestors did: hand-picked from Old World trees, pressed in small batches, and sent straight to your dinner table.
We hope this article answered all your questions and that you've found it helpful. Keep sending us your questions, thoughts, and ideas, subscribe to our newsletter to get exclusive offers, and follow us on social media to keep in touch!
