The main objective is to stay away from saturated fat, processed food, and eat the proper amount of foods containing antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, protein, and healthy fats. People in the Mediterranean consume foods low in cholesterol, and take in unsaturated and omega fats. Limit intake of fast food and engage in physical activity on a regular basis to maintain a healthy weight and well-being.
“Southern Europeans experience less heart disease, stomach and lung cancers, strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity than other Western nations. This lower rate of chronic disease has been attributed to diet.”
- International Conference on Nutrition (ICN)
State of mind is affected by food choices. Nutrients in food affect brain chemicals that can alter your mood/emotional health. Studies show that omega fats can improve brain function and have a positive impact on mood and mental acuity. Foods that have high levels of monounsaturated fat, such as seeds, tuna, salmon, beans, nuts, and of course olive oil, help regulate mood. Don’t forget, our brains are made up of about 70 percent fat!
A proper diet with regular exercise is the perfect recipe for optimal brain function, providing energy, alertness, and overall well-being.
In the mid 1990s, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed that olive oil decreases the risk of coronary heart disease. Olive oil’s primary component is Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid. Research shows that consuming this healthy fat, along with antioxidants, reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. This combination lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good cholesterol (HDL), preventing the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries. The anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting, and blood pressure lowering effects of olive oil all are beneficial in maintaining a healthy heart.
People who live in the Mediterranean countries have a lower incidence of cancer than Americans do because of the high levels of olive oil, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables in their diet. Studies have shown that the “good” fat and phenols in olive oil may help prevent colon, breast, skin, pancreatic, lung, and ovarian cancers. One study found that rats whose diets were supplemented with olive oil had less cancer-prone tissue and tumors than the rats consuming other oils. Antioxidants in olive oil attack harmful molecules that can damage/alter cells and lead to cancer. The unsaturated fat in the oil helps to kill off cancerous breast cells and to lower levels of the gene responsible for breast cancer. “Olive oil from the Lakonia region is extracted primarily from the Koroneiki olive variety which has one of the highest levels of polyphenols, the antioxidant that prevents the development of cancer.”
A diet high in monounsaturated fat and low in carbohydrates may enable you to maintain a lower weight than a high-carbohydrate high fat diet. Pure olive oil helps to keep triglyceride levels low, improves insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar, and prevents fat buildup around the abdomen. The monounsaturated fats in the olive oil help increase the breakdown of body fat.
Oleocanthal, a natural compound found in olive oil, has anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties. It is responsible for inhibiting COX, an enzyme that causes inflammation and pain. Antioxidants rid the body of free radicals -- molecules that cause cellular damage, keeping your body healthier, inside and out. With the oil’s anti-inflammatory properties cell membranes are more fluid, facilitating the transport of healthy nutrients into the cells and flushing out waste products. By decreasing inflammation, the body maintains better health and function. Furthermore, the natural compound squalene is abundant in olive oils, which reduces the risk of skin cancer. It helps to prevent wrinkles, promotes healing, and improves cardiovascular and immune function. Aging and sickness are reduced by consuming olive oil!
According to a study published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry,” olive oil may provide protection against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, and narcolepsy. Once again, it is the blend of polyphenols, with their powerful antioxidant properties and the monounsaturated fat that help prevent deterioration and oxidation of cells.
You can also use olive oil to soften and protect your feet, hair, nails, lips, and face. While providing protection, it has other benefits for your skin, such as toning and moisturizing. Consumption and application on the skin will help protect against harmful UV rays. The nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins are water soluble and easily absorbed by the skin without clogging pores. Olive oil’s vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps keep your skin healthy and firm and maintains its elasticity. Applied to your hair and scalp, it stimulates circulation and conditions and shines your hair.
Our DÁFNI Balsamic Vinegar is made in Modena, Italy from select cooked grape musts blended and fermented with Trebbiano, Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Albana, Ancellotta, Fortana, or Montuni grapes.
After the fermentation process, it is aged in oak wood barrels for a minimum of 12 years. The flavor is smooth, sweet & fruity with woody notes.
Cooked concentrated grape must, vinegar. Contains sulfites.
MADE FROM: Vinegar and Grape musts blended and fermented with Trebbiano, Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Albana, Ancellotta, Fortana, or Montuni grapes.
