Portuguese olive oil

Olive oil benefits

Portugal presents one of the world’s most developed economies and its economic prosperity is greatly due to the abundant resources that the country possesses which develop as a result of the favorable natural conditions. Olive oil is planted at present prominently in various regions of Portugal. Olive oil is obtained from the olive fruits and there are several olive groves in Portugal namely, in the regions of the upper Douro, Norte Alentjano, the Tras-os-Montes in the northern part of Portugal and the hills of the Moura region.

Time and again it has been proved that olive oil is one of the most important among the various vegetable oils because of its merits and it can be designated as one product which ahs no negative effects at all. Since antiquity, olive oil has been a significant ingredient in the religious rituals of the Christians and Jews as also among the Muslims and the Muslim holy text Koran mentions the usage of olive oil. Fro example it is used prior to baptism ands at times it is used even in lighting the oil lamps in the churches.

The most important benefits of olive oil are however with reference to its medicinal properties. The extracted olive oil which is gathered from the olive fruits contains enormous proportions of polyphenols and monounsaturated fats like oleic acid. These components are actively used in case of cooking, in soaps and cosmetics etc. As a result it is very useful for softening and smoothening dry and scaly skin during the winter months. The low proportions of acid content in the oil enable it to allow swifter digestion and they are also used in the manufacture of certain lipophilic drugs. Olive oil is extremely favorable in controlling heart diseases as the monounsaturated fats present in it reduces the possibility of contracting coronary heart diseases. Antioxidants like vitamin E are also helpful in such cases while vitamin K assists during blood clotting.