Incorporating high-quality olive oil into your diet can have significant health benefits, and it’s a staple of the widely acclaimed Mediterranean diet.
Extra virgin olive oil, in particular, is a treasure trove of advantages, brimming with healthy monounsaturated fats known to diminish inflammation and oxidative stress, according to Healthline.
Not only does it offer these fats, but it’s also a vitamin-rich choice, with just one tablespoon providing an excellent dose of vitamins K and E, reports the Express.
However, when you’re at the supermarket trying to select the right bottle from the myriad options available, it can be tricky to determine which one will truly be beneficial.
Thankfully, a gut health expert has revealed a crucial shopping tip for olive oil enthusiasts – always read the label.
Mr Gut Health, a TikToker and gut health scientist who has been documenting his Mediterranean diet experience for years, has shared insights on how to spot authentic olive oil on store shelves.
He pinpoints three essential indicators of genuine olive oil, with the first being the most critical. The expert advises: “If it says extra virgin, then it’s pretty much guaranteed.”
Extra virgin signifies that the oil is unrefined, preserving more of its natural flavour, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s produced without the use of heat or chemicals.
One critical factor to consider when choosing the best olive oil is its origin, which should be clearly visible on the label. Picking up a bottle of Filippo Berio, the expert pointed out: “Some EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), like this one, uses olives from different countries.
“Whilst oil from the one country might be better for traceability, using olives from different countries is fine.”
A final key detail to look for is a telling phrase typically found on the back of the bottle, providing insight into the production process.
Turning the bottle around to read the label, he reiterated: “Superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means.”
This guarantees that the oil has been extracted in such a way as to keep its nutritional benefits intact. The connoisseur added that extra virgin olive oil can be used for cooking and is a healthier option than butter or tallow.