The good old days are long gone. There are countless scammers, hucksters, and all around dishonest folks out there trying to separate you from your hard earned money.
That’s why you’re very careful about what information you give out over the phone. You’ve learned to be extra cautious about what emails you open. And you NEVER click on a link without knowing exactly who sent it.
But one place you’ve probably never worried about being scammed was in the oil aisle at your local supermarket. But there’s a good chance it could happen.
If you’re a fan of olive oil—and I hope you are—you probably already know a bit about how good it is for you. It’s brimming with proven health benefits.
But olive oil has a dark side too.
The olive oil scam that could harm your health
Some unscrupulous food manufacturers looking to make a quick buck are selling fakes. Cooking oils labeled as olive oil, but which have been diluted with less expensive, often unhealthy, fats.
In some cases, they may even contain oils that could pose a severe threat to human health.
And it’s not just obscure brands you’ve never heard of you need to worry about, either. Studies have revealed that Big Food is on the fraud too.
In fact, in one study conducted by the University of California–Davis Olive Center the TOP FIVE selling imported brands were fakes 73 percent of the time.
But don’t give up on olive oil. There are two ways you can be sure you’re getting what you’ve paid for.
Get the high-quality oil you PAY for
Domestic olive oils produced here in the United States have fared far better in studies. So when in doubt buying American is an excellent way to avoid being scammed.
Buy a brand you trust and look for the 100% Certified Extra Virgin seal from the California Olive Oil Commission.
But if you’re craving the taste of imported oil from Italy, you can still avoid the fakes. Just make sure the bottle or can you buy has the 100% Qualita Italiana certified seal.
And always make sure you’re choosing an extra virgin olive oil. This means it comes from the first press of olives and no chemicals or heat were used in its processing. That way you know it has retained all the antioxidants and other beneficial nutrients you want.
7 ways ordinary olive oil could SAVE your life
Which means you can start reaping olive oil’s many health benefits, including…
1. Reduced heart disease risk:
Around the world, where olive oil is a staple, people have less heart disease. One study looked at more than 3,000 men and women in Greece. Olive oil enthusiasts who exclusively used the oil as their choice for added fat had a stunning 93 percent lower risk for heart disease than folks who never used it.
2. Lower blood pressure:
In Italy, researchers tested olive oil on people who were taking medications for high blood pressure. They found that men who ate four tablespoons daily and women who swallowed two were able to reduce their doses of blood pressure drugs by 48 percent.
3. Healthier cholesterol:
Researchers in Australia took a deeper dive into the data from 26 clinical trials to learn how olive oil effects cholesterol. They found that regularly eating antioxidant packed, high-quality, extra virgin olive oil, lowered harmful cholesterol and increased protective cholesterol, contributing to a healthier heart.
4. Reduced risk of cancer:
When eaten as part of a Mediterranean diet extra virgin olive oil reduces the risk of aggressive prostate cancer, according to a Spanish study of more than 2,000 men between the ages of 38 and 85. Other research found that it could inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells.
5. Better blood sugar:
Olive oil can help improve blood sugar levels reducing your risk for diabetes. In one study of people at high risk for the disease, olive oil proved a real winner. One tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil in a meal significantly lowered blood sugar and other harmful markers.
6. Stronger bones:
In countries where olive oil is a part of the regular diet, fewer older people suffer fractures caused by thinning bones compared to here in the USA. Among folks 55 to 80, those who ate the most olive oil were 51 percent less likely to experience a fracture.
7. Improved memory:
Researchers at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, found that extra virgin olive oil could help protect memory and learning ability. Nutrients in the oil reduce the formation of the brain plaques and tangles that are the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease.
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