Beyond the Ranch

Gourmet and Healthy Extra Virgin Olive Oil Gifts for Clients, Coworkers, Friends or Family 

As 2022 begins, how many of us are making plans to be healthier? I know I am, but how? There are many ways we can increase our health this year. Some of them seem way harder than others, like running a marathon or maybe goat yoga. While these are both great ideas, I suggest that we all start with something a little bit easier. Add more quality olive oil to our diet. For the fifth year in a row, the Mediterranean diet ranks as the best overall diet according to U.S. News & World Report. If you don’t already know, the main component of the Mediterranean diet is extra virgin olive oil. Now I don’t know about you, but I would love to add a good olive oil to my diet and finish the year healthier than I started. (Maybe I can add in the marathon and the goat yoga next year. 😊 ) Be careful though when purchasing the extra virgin olive oil for your new health plan. There is a difference between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil. If you want the health benefits, there is certain criteria you need to look for. A true extra virgin olive oil will be polyphenol rich and have a high polyphenol count (over 400). These polyphenols in the oil are micronutrients that are found in plant foods. These micronutrients are believed to improve cardiovascular health as well as cognitive function. The main polyphenol found in EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) is oleocanthal. Another way to ensure that your olive oil is healthy is to buy oil that is certified by the California Olive Oil Council (COOC). In order for an oil to be certified, it must first pass a few rigorous tests. The oil must be below .5 percent acidity...