Korvel Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil - Amphora - 500ml

A healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, legumes and pulses provides our bodies with vitamins, minerals and fibre, boosting our immune systems and preparing us to fight against infections. Everyone knows what it means to eat healthy food and what is a healthy diet but only some follow the rules on a daily basis. There are countries where they know how to eat better and maintain their bodies healthier. Through the centuries, local people have perfected a balanced diet, cultivating and eating mainly local produce and high-quality foods. Furthermore, they developed habits and practices that allow them to enjoy eating food without any side effects. Unfortunately, the UK is not one of these places. But where is it in Europe that people eat the healthiest? Mediterranean diet - whole grains, a lot of vegetables and olive oil The Mediterranean diet, which is predominantly plant-based, is considered one of the healthiest. It is very popular around the world, but the countries which benefit from this cuisine on a daily basis include Italy, Greece, and Spain. The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, healthy snacks like nuts, healthy fats like olive oil, herbs and seafood. Many Mediterranean diet staples are low in calories and high in fibre. These foods help promote healthy weight management, low cholesterol levels and normal blood pressure. This type of diet prevents you from conditions like obesity, diabetes and heart disease. According to research by Harvard University, people who eat a Mediterranean diet have 25 per cent less risk of developing cardiovascular disease over the course of 12 years. Moreover, those who strictly followed this diet had a 24 per cent lower risk of cardiovascular disease and 23 per cent lower risk of premature death compared with those who had the lowest adherence to this diet. French diet - everything in moderation French cuisine is all about the perfect portion and quality. French people never overeat during a meal and keep their meals regular, which means they never skip them, but they choose products with high quality. This allows them to eat some 'forbidden' products rich in fats like cheese and butter, carbs like bread, or even meat, as they will always have them in moderation. Thanks to this habit of eating little or just enough, the numbers of obese people and those suffering from heart disease are pretty low in French society. The French don't eat junk food, deep-fried items or low-quality sweet snacks, which also has a great impact on their overall health and body weight management. Nordic diet - whole grain bread and seasonal produce The Nordic diet may not be as popular outside the North of Europe, but it's worth mentioning as the health of inhabitants of Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark is not so bad either. The quality and nutritional profile of many Nordic staples is better than that of the British. People eat more seasonal produce, locally sourced vegetables and fruits, choose darker rye bread over white bread, and occasionally eat oily fish like salmon.

Where are olives from? There are over 800 million olive trees planted worldwide. There are more olive trees and people in Greece. It is estimated over 170 million trees are planted in Greece, while the population is only about 10.4 million people. The average life of an olive tree is between 300 and 600 years. One of the oldest olive trees in the world is on the island of Crete in Greece. It is about 4,000 years old and is still producing olives. People who live in southern European countries like Italy, Greece or Portugal consume olives and extra virgin olive oil every day. Why olives have different colours? Olives are considered fruits from the olive tree. They can be distinguish by colour, size and shape. The olives get their colour from the moment they are picked from the tree. The olive tree always gives green olives and then they change the colour as the mature, so they become darker and softer. The colours may vary from light purple to dark purple and black. All the green olives that stay on the tree will eventually become black. Most of the olives are picked green as they are less bitter and contain more oil. Why olives have different sizes? The size of an olive depend on the variety. You will see the final shape of the fruit when the ripening period approaches. Some varieties provide fruits that are very large (even 6 times larger than the small ones) like the Sicilian variety Castelvetrano and some are just always very small like other Italian varieties Casaliva and Taggiasche. The large size olives varieties with a sweet flavour are more popular as healthy snacks. Why are olives so crucial in the Mediterranean diet? Olives are a food of an amazing nutritional value. Olives are considered fatty fruits, but 70% of this fat is healthy monounsaturated fat. Olives are packed with nutrients and have lots of health benefits: Rich in antioxidants Rich in vitamins Cholesterol-free Source of healthy mono-saturated fats Low calorie Low in saturated fats The vitamins and antioxidants found in olives may provide essential health benefits. Olives are a great source of vitamin E, which can improve skin health and help your immune system. Some studies have shown that olives may protect against osteoporosis, in which bones weaken.

Extra virgin olive oil Nutrition experts consider extra virgin olive oil as one of the healthiest and the most versatile to consume and cook with. The highest quality olive oil should be extra virgin which means it is unrefined and unprocessed. Extra virgin olive has lots of health benefits. It is packed with monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fatty acids linked to better heart health. The best way to eat olive oil is to add it cold to your dishes, as dressings for salads, pestos, for topping and drizzling. You can use olive oil for cooking at low and medium-high temperatures as it has a relatively lower smoke point compared to other oils. Don't use it for high heat frying and cooking. It is a good option for baking though. Flaxseed oil Flaxseed oil otherwise known as linseed oil is extracted from flaxseeds. It is high in omega 3 fatty acids that are vital for your physical and mental health. Flaxseed oil may help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure, inflamation and the risk of diabetes. as well as improve regularity. Flaxseed oil has a very low smoke point, which means it shouldn't be used for cooking. Use it for dressing and drizzling on top of the veggies, oatmeal, cereals smoothies. Store it at a low temperature and a dark place, ideally in a fridge. Sunflower oil Sunflower oil is derived from sunflower seeds. It is rich in vitamin E, which is responsible for fighting free radicals. One tablespoon of sunflower oil covers 28% of your daily recommendation for this vitamin. Sunflower oil is also great for cooking. It has almost no flavour and a very high smoking point. It can be used for cooking on high heat, for example, deep frying. Sunflower oil should be consumed in moderation as it also contains a lot of omega-6 fatty acids. The body needs them, but consuming too much omega-6s can cause inflammation, so you should balance them with omega-3s fatty acids. Sunflower oils tend to be heavily processed so always choose cold-pressed sunflower oil for the best health benefits. Rapeseed oil Rapeseed oil, also known as canola oil, is derived from a flowering plant. It contains a great amount of monounsaturated fats and some polyunsaturated fats. Rapeseed oil has the least amount of saturated fats from all vegetable oils. It has a high smoke point, which means it is suitable for high-temperature cooking and frying. Rapeseed similarly to sunflower oil can be processed so remember to always choose cold-pressed rapeseed oil. Avocado oil Avocado unrefined oil is another healthy option. It ir rich in vitamin E and contains monounsaturated and a lot of polyunsaturated acids. Avocado oil doesn't have much flavour, so it is also a good option for cooking and dressing salads. It can be used for cooking in higher temperatures than olive oil as it has a higher smoking point. You can use it safely for stir fries. Sesame oil Sesame oil has a very strong flavour. It contains both monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. It has a higher smoke point and can be used for high-temperature cooking like frying. Pumpkin seed oil Hemp seed oil