Vitamins of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is the variety of olive oil with the highest
quality, recognized not only for its delicious taste and aroma, but also for its
impressive nutritional profile, which has led it to be considered as a
essential ingredient in the Mediterranean diet.
A product that stands out for its multiple health benefits is the many vitamins in extra virgin olive oil, which make it one of the most recommended and beneficial products for health, especially when consumed raw.
Furthermore, the EVOO has a high content of oleic acid, a fatty acid.
monounsaturated that helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL), and is a rich source of natural antioxidants such as polyphenols and vitamin E, which help protect cells from oxidative damage.
Aware that it is one of the star products of Spanish cuisine, at Olivarte we show you what vitamins extra virgin olive oil has, with the aim of helping you understand how its consumption can impact your health.
What vitamins does Extra Virgin Olive Oil have?
"In addition to being a gourmet product obtained from the best olives, with an acidity level below 0.8%, the high amount of vitamins in olive oil makes its consumption highly recommended by the Spanish Association of Pediatrics as the main fat in the diet of children from two to six years old, which is undoubtedly synonymous with quality."
But, what vitamins does olive oil have?
Vitamin A
The vitamin A present in the EVOO is essential for maintaining good health.
ocular, the immune system and reproductive capacity, in addition to offering
other benefits that extend to other important organs such as the heart, lungs, or kidneys. Some of its most notable characteristics are:
Benefits of vitamin A from olive oil:
- Tissue development: helps the proper development of bones, teeth, soft tissues, mucous membranes, and skin.
- "Relationship with acne: vitamin A deficiency is related to the onset of acne, and adequate intake can help prevent it."
- Retina formation: also known as retinol, vitamin A is essential for the formation of the retina, directly contributing to good eye health.
- Prevention of infectious diseases: promotes the prevention of infectious diseases, especially of the respiratory system, as well as other pathologies such as measles.
- Reproductive cycle: this vitamin also plays an important role in sperm production and contributes to the female reproductive cycle.
Vitamin E
Olive oil contains vitamin E, a powerful fat-soluble antioxidant, which is
characterized by protecting cells from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which are produced both by normal metabolic processes and by environmental factors.
Benefits of vitamin E from olive oil:
- Cellular health: protects cells from oxidative damage, promoting cellular health.
- Skin care: maintains the health of the skin, hair, and nails.
- Immune system: plays a crucial role in protecting the immune system, helping to strengthen the body's defenses.
Vitamin D
The vitamin D in olive oil is key for bone health and the maintenance of organs, promoting the absorption of calcium by the body, which will help prevent diseases such as osteoporosis.
Likewise, vitamin D also directly affects the health of the system.
nervous, muscular, and immune, being key for the proper maintenance of the organs.
Benefits of vitamin D from olive oil:
- Mineral regulation: regulates the levels of calcium and phosphorus in our blood.
- Intestinal absorption: facilitates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from food in the intestine.
- Renal reabsorption: helps with the reabsorption of calcium in the kidneys.
Vitamin K
Extra virgin olive oil also contains vitamin K, which is essential for
blood coagulation, helping the blood to clot properly in case any type of injury occurs.
Likewise, vitamin K is closely related to bone health,
contributing to proper mineralization and strengthening of the bones.
Benefits of vitamin K from olive oil:
- Blood coagulation: helps activate proteins that allow blood to clot in case of injuries, helping to prevent bleeding.
- Bone health: activates the protein osteocalcin, which allows calcium to bind to bones and strengthens the bone matrix.
- Prevention of cardiovascular diseases: helps to avoid the accumulation of calcium in the arteries, which reduces the risk of arterial calcification, a factor that contributes to cardiovascular problems.
B vitamins
The AOVE also contains several B-complex vitamins, such as B1 (thiamine),
B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin), which play a key role in cellular metabolism, also help maintain a healthy nervous system. Their benefits include:
Benefits of B vitamins from olive oil:
- Energy metabolism: they assist in the process of converting food into energy, which is essential for the optimal functioning of the body.
- Mental health: they contribute to the well-being of the nervous system, promoting concentration and mood.
As you can see, in addition to being a delicious and highly versatile product in the kitchen, the vitamins in extra virgin olive oil make it a powerful ally for our health, standing out as an ingredient that cannot be missing from any balanced diet.