The health benefits of Olive Oil: -- For crispies and health, say 'YES' to olive oil
Spanish olive oil should replace traditional oil in kitchens to fry crispies and curries because of its high smoking point, low 'bad cholesterol or saturated fats' and zero transfat content.
'It can be used as a traditional salad dressing or for shallow cooking, cakes, fried sweetmeats, tartlets, and pastries. It can also be used for deep fat fries like curried meat and veggies.
Atul Mathur, director of interventional cardiology at the Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre, said his hospital has been advising heart patients to use olive oil as a cooking medium for at least three to four days a week.
'There was no awareness about olive oil. Since it has low bad cholesterol or saturated fats, it prevents accumulation of fats in the arteries.
'The best part is that olive oil makes fries more crispy than other oil. At very high temperatures, the proteins in olive oil coagulate and the natural sugar caramelises forming a protective layer on the surface of fries. It prevents the oil from penetrating the soft core, making the surfaces more munchy.
The high Vitamin E content makes olive oil anti-allergic. Studies cite that the high-level of anti-oxidants like Vitamin A and E in olive neutralises cancer-causing radicals. When used with fresh lemon juice, it flushes out toxins from the liver. Doctors also recommend it as a dental cleanser.
Olive oil, was available in four varieties - extra virgin, virgin, pure and extra light.
'Olive oil, like wine, is produced by pressing and crushing the fruits. The first presses yield the best oil - the extra virgin variety or Pomace olive oil which is good for deep fat frying,'
Source : DSD Group Email
