5 Health Benefits Of Using Olive Oil

Anytime is a good time to consider heart health. After all, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in America, killing over 600,000 people yearly, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Even making small changes in your lifestyle and diet can add up to big results, over time. One such change that can give people a healthy benefit for the heart and beyond is to make the switch to olive oil.

"Olive oil not only tastes great, but increasingly we are learning about the healthy benefits it has for our bodies," explains Chef Paul Anthony Fario, known as "Chefario," the executive chef at Arlington-based Extra Virgin restaurant. "And it is quite versatile, making it easy to find ways to incorporate it into your diet."

Here are 5 health benefits of using olive oil:

1. Anti-inflammation. Along with having healthy properties that help reduce inflammation in the body, it also has anti-clotting properties. This helps to make olive oil a choice that is better for the heart.

2. Antioxidants. Many health professionals have deemed olive oil to be heart healthy, because it contains powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. The polyphenols slow the progression of artherosclerosis.

3. DHPEA-EDA. This is one of the most important polyphenols found in olive oil, and researchers have found that it protects red blood cells from damage.

4. Monounsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, which helps to control a person's LDL - or bad - cholesterol, while it also helps to raise the body's good, heart-healthy cholesterol.

5. Secoiridoids. This category of polyphenols found in olive oil is being researched for its anti-cancer properties. It is believed to provide the digestive tract with some protection.

Additional research suggests that olive oil has beneficial properties for bone health, cognitive function, and anti-cancer benefits. Additional research is being conducted to discover additional ways that olive oil can be beneficial to our health.

"Adding olive oil to your diet can be simple and tasty," adds Chef Fario. "For the best results, buy a good quality extra virgin olive oil and store it in a cool dark place so that it doesn't go rancid or isn't subjected to a lot of light exposure."

Here is a quick, tasty and heart-healthy recipe using olive oil:

Mixed Grill
With spring just around the corner I wanted to share this very simple recipe of one of our most popular dishes. Serves 2
Mixed Grill

Ingredients:
2 diver scallops cut lengthwise in half
4 16/20 count shrimp, peeled an clean
3-4 oz of salmon cut in 1 inch pieces
3-4 oz of calamari cut flat for grilling

For seasoning you will need...

Chopped parsley
Kosher salt
Fresh ground pepper
Dried oregano
Butter
Red pepper flakes
Pinot Grigio
Salad
One 6-8 oz package of cleaned arugula
1 vine ripe tomato, diced
1/2 small red onion, julienned
3-6 ounces Lemon dressing (recipe below)

Method:
Prepare your grill and season the grates with canola oil, you want the grill to reach 500F and preheat your oven to 425F.
Take the seafood and season with olive oil, salt, pepper, oregano and red pepper flakes, keeping the oil to a minimum so as to avoid flare ups. Quickly grill the seafood pieces in batches and place on a baking tray or oven proof skillet.

Once the seafood is in the skillet add the wine, butter and parsley, bake for approximately 5 minutes.

While the seafood is finishing assemble the salad by combining the arugula, red onion, tomato and lemon dressing. Place on a large serving plate and place the seafood around. Top the seafood with the delicious cooking liquid, garnish with lemon and serve immediately.

Lemon Dressing
Refrigerate up to six days.
Ingredients:
3 whole lemons
3