Of these Pramesa, Figueira da Foz, Tradição and Quint d'Aldeia, were adulterated with other vegetable oils and the brands Qualitá, Beirão, Carrefour, Discount and Filippo Berio cannot be considered extra virgin.
The Cocinero brand olive oil, on the other hand, was chosen as the best product, authentic extra virgin olive oil, in addition to the best cost-benefit among the evaluated options.
Olive oil is extracted from olives. It can be used in various occasions such as cooking, medicines, cosmetics, soaps and for other varied purposes. Among the numerous benefits offered by olive oil, we can highlight:
heart health: Olive oil helps in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body, thus reducing artery blockage and blight formation. In addition, it helps in reducing blood clotting and is also a good source of antioxidants that help keep the heart healthy.
- Cancer prevention: Rich in Omega-3, it helps to prevent and reduce the growth rates of cancer cells in the body;
- Osteoporosis prevention: Olive oil consumption positively affects bone density, improving bone health;
- Mental health: The monounsaturated fats in olive oil help to decrease the chances of cognitive deficits. Therefore, it helps in fighting many brain related problems such as imbalance of water content and imbalance of nervous system functions;
- Nutritional value: It provides around 900 calories per 100 grams of its intake. It is an excellent source of fats, mainly monounsaturated fatty acids, commonly known as MUFA, olive oil also contains polyphenols, omega-3 and triglyceride esters;
- Aesthetic care: Olive oil can act as a moisturizer because of its hydrophilic properties, which help form a protective layer on the skin. It has also been shown to be effective for hair, used in scalp treatments, to reduce split ends and the appearance of dandruff.
Text written by Natália Nocelli from the Eu Sem Fronteiras Team
