Health & Nutritional Information

Olive oil brings so much delicious Mediterranean flavour to salads, fresh fish, poultry and vegetables. And if that were not enough, it is rich in Vitamin E and high grade monounsaturated fatty acids - so it promotes a healthy life.

Olive oil helps to lower cholesterol and to reduce the risk of heart disease. Comforting isn't it, to know that something you like is good for you!

For centuries the Greeks have prized oil for its therapeutic benefits and believed it to be the secret to beauty and longevity.  Studies show that extra virgin olive oil reduces many health risks from heart disease and diabetes to breast and prostrate cancer.

Olive oil's main benefit is cardiovascular. Of all the commonly available oils, olive oil is the highest in monounsaturated fat. This type of fat is known to lower blood cholesterol levels. Olive oil is also an excellent source of antioxidants, which protect the heart.

The body easily absorbs olive oil so readily absorbs Vitamin E and phenols which prevent the oxidization of fatty tissue. Experts have suggested that this because it is high in monounsaturated fat.

Olive oil should be used in everyday cooking. It can be used in salads or added to any recipe. It is perfect even for frying. Olive oil is the healthiest oil with no cholesterol and rich in vitamins.

Medical studies indicate that Mediterranean countries particularly Greece where olive oil consumption is high have less cardiovascular disease than any other country.

Can olive oil reduce the effects of aging?

A major cause of the degeneration of cells is the accumulation of free radicals which are produced by the oxidization of the fatty tissues of the body.

Vitamin E, phenols and other antioxidizing substances protect the human body from the negative effects of free radicals. Olive oil contains a high percentage of phenols and vitamin E and as a result helps delay the ageing process.

Is olive oil an aphrodisiac?

An added benefit of using olive oil in your daily diet is that Vitamin E improves your sex life.

Olive oil prevents heart attacks?

Studies in Mediterranean countries have shown that heart disease is lower than would be expected by cholesterol levels. Many feel that this can be explained by the high olive oil content in the diet of the region.

Research into whether olive oil reduces the blood's clotting ability which would in turn mean fewer heart attacks showed that levels of blood coagulation factor were significantly lower in those who ate olive oil as part of their diet. The study's conclusion was that olive oil may lower the procoagulant tendency of fatty meals which could explain the low incidence of heart attacks in Mediterranean countries such as Greece.

Olive oil protect against colon cancer?

Studies on animals have shown that diets high in fats increase the risk of colon cancer. Tests using olive oil to see if it could safeguard against colon cancer compared to other oils showed that the use of olive oil lowers the incidence of bowel tumours.

Although it is not clear what specific property of olive oil has this effect those undertaking the study suggested it may be partly due to a lowering of inflammation chemicals in the gut. Olive oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects in several other studies. Studies also suggest that olive oil can decrease the incidence of breast cancer.

Olive oil prevents atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a disease of the walls of the arteries where fats are deposited and inflamation changes causes scarring and narrowing, which can eventually cause clots and total blockage.

Blockages can cause strokes and heart attacks. High levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood accelerate the fat deposits while HDL cholesterol seems to be protective.

More than 750 million olive trees are cultivated world wide, the greatest number (95%) being planted in the regions of the Mediterranean. About 75% of the global olive oil production comes from the European Union, while around 97% of European production comes from Spain, Italy and Greece.

The history of olive oil in Greece goes back into the centuries and even today thousands of Greek families are occupied in its production. Greece is the third largest olive oil producing country after Spain and Italy.  The competitive advantage of Greek olive oil in relation to that of other countries is its fine and pure quality. Greek law does not allow for blending or olive oils.

One of the characteristics of the Greek olive oil industry is the existence of a large number small sized, family run businesses, which are set up in oil producing areas. Spartan Rolling Hills Ltd is such a business. During the period of 1998 / 99, a total of 2,500 businesses were in operation.   About 2 / 3 of Greek Olive Oil production is from Crete and the Peloponnese (the home of Spartan Rolling Hills products).

Greek exports of olive oil for the last decade are estimated between 20 and 40 thousand tonnes annually. The main target countries for Greek olive husk oil are the countries of the European Union. Companies in these countries import unprocessed olive husk oil, process it and usually mix it with seed oil and export it, something which is prohibited in Greece by law.

Source:  Athens Chamber of Commerce & Industry

Note: 

Spartan Rolling Hills distributes only 100% First Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Regular and Organic Olive Oil and Olives from family owned and operated olive groves or those of local family members and friends located in the Peloponeese near the city of Sparti, Laconia.

Contact us today by email or by phone at 1-647-321-OIL1(6451) or 1-866-883-3422 from anywhere in Canada and USA.   We can ship to anywhere in the world.