Polyphenols In Extra Virgin Olive Oil Support Your Whole Family’s Health?

Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil Like Morocco Gold Boost Child And Adult Health

^{Updated October 2nd 2024}

It’s Never Too Young To Incorporate Polyphenols In To Your Diet

In our quest for healthier lifestyles, we often overlook the small, simple changes that can make a significant impact. One such change is incorporating polyphenol-rich olive oil into our diets.

But, extra virgin olive oil isn’t just for salads; its benefits extend to baking and beyond. The best part? It’s never too early to start! This blog will explore why extra virgin olive oil is a must-have in your kitchen, the long-term benefits of a Mediterranean diet, and the best types of extra virgin olive oil for maximizing polyphenols.

Did you know that the health boosting polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil can benefit your family from birth to later life? Although health-boosting polyphenols are included in many supplements, introducing your family to the Mediterranean Diet from a young age is a great way to arm your loved ones against a range of health risk factors later in life.

Morocco Gold’s 2021 Harvest, now available to purchase online, is more jam packed full of these wonderful polyphenol superpowers than ever before which means even more reason to consider incorporating the best extra virgin olive oil into your diet. This year, our Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a low acidity of 0.2% and the highest ever levels of polyphenols seen in our high-quality oil to date. 

According to NutraIngredients.com, a 2020 study showed that incorporating polyphenols and omega 3 oils may benefit brain function (including working memory and blood flow to the brain) of children under four years of age.   The Polyphenols found in Morocco Gold has also been scientifically linked to helping children deal with the symptoms of attention deficit disorders.

Why Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Baking?

Baking with extra virgin olive oil might sound unconventional, but it’s a delicious and healthy alternative to butter and other oils. The rich, robust flavour can enhance both sweet and savoury dishes, while also providing numerous health benefits.

One of the primary reasons to use extra virgin olive oil in baking is its high content of healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats are known to lower bad cholesterol levels, which can help reduce the risk of heart disease. Unlike butter, which is high in saturated fats, olive oil offers a heart-healthy option without compromising on taste.

A second reason for using extra virgin olive oil in your baked treats is the health benefits that come along. Extra virgin olive oil has no shortage of benefits for your health and wellness. This monounsaturated fat helps keep your cholesterol in check as well as offering a host of antioxidants that are essential for healthy living. Incorporating a more monounsaturated or polyunsaturated source of fat rather than just saturated fats. Compared to vegetable oils, extra virgin olive oil is free from chemicals and other impurities that compromise both the nutrients and flavour of the ingredient.

What are the Long-Term Benefits of a Polyphenol-Rich Mediterranean Diet?

The Mediterranean diet is celebrated worldwide for its numerous health benefits, and central to this diet is the liberal use of extra virgin olive oil. Rich in polyphenols, this diet offers a variety of long-term health benefits that can improve the quality of life for both children and adults.

One of the standout benefits of a Mediterranean diet is its ability to promote heart health. Studies have shown that the diet can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol levels and improving blood vessel function. The high polyphenol content in olive oil plays a crucial role in these cardiovascular benefits.

Another long-term benefit is the diet’s anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is linked to many serious health conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, and certain cancers. The antioxidants found in polyphenol-rich foods like extra virgin olive oil help to combat this inflammation, promoting overall health and longevity.

Finally, the Mediterranean diet has been linked to improved brain function and a reduced risk of cognitive decline. The healthy fats and antioxidants found in olive oil support brain health, making this diet an excellent choice for long-term cognitive well-being.

Child And Adult Friendly Ways To Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Ice-Cream

And we all know that encouraging our children to eat their vegetables is not always as straightforward as we would like so why not try drizzling some Morocco Gold on their ice cream? It’s bound to go down a treat and tastes delicious!

Ok, so this one may take a bit more persuasion to encourage the younger members of your family to swap their favourite chocolate sauce or sprinkles for a drizzle of olive oil, but trust us on this one.

A drizzle of extra virgin olive oil over your ice cream really helps bring out the flavour in the ice cream and adds to the creamy texture. One to try out for sure! Who’d have thought it!

2/ Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil On Your Popcorn

A big bowl of freshly made popcorn never seems to go out of fashion with children of all ages (and plenty of adults too!).  As long as it’s air-popped and lightly seasoned, popcorn is a whole grain and high fibre snack – making it a good choice for lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.  Did you know that popcorn contains more fibre per serving than whole-wheat bread?

Speaking to heart.org, Maya Vadiveloo, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition and food sciences at the University of Rhode Island said: “When prepared well, popcorn actually is a pretty good snack. It’s stable. It’s inexpensive. It’s fairly tasty. For people who might be struggling to eat adequate fruits or vegetables or other whole grains, it’s a low-risk snack to start.”

So, what better way to set it off with a healthy drizzle of the best extra virgin olive oil such as Morocco Gold?

3/ Fry Your Eggs in Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Whatever way you cook them, eggs are often and quick and easy hit with children at any time of the day.  A very good source of inexpensive, high quality protein, eggs are also rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals including zinc, iron and copper.  Contrary to some popular myths, extra virgin olive oil can be used for frying food and can add a unique flavour to your favourite foods.  By opting for extra virgin olive as an alternative to butter and other fats when preparing your eggs, you are also making a great health choice.  Olive Oil is one of the richest sources of monounsaturated fatty acids which are important for helping to prevent health issues such as cardiovascular disease or stroke.

One serving or 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil contains the following:

• 120 calories
• 10 grams of monounsaturated fat
• 2 grams of saturated fat
• 2 grams of polyunsaturated fat
• 1.9 milligrams of vitamin E (10 percent of Daily Value)
• 8.1 micrograms of vitamin K (10 percent of DV)

4/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil As a Replacement For Butter In Baking

That bottle of extra virgin olive oil sitting on your pantry shelf can revolutionize your favourite baked treats. While often thought of for salad dressings, marinades and sautéing, your extra virgin olive oil can also be used as a valuable alternative to butter or other fat in your baked recipes.

Why Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil For Baking?

The value of incorporating extra virgin olive oil as a substitute in your baking is mainly twofold. First, you can enhance the overall flavour profile of your recipe, depending on the variety of extra virgin olive oil you use. Each extra virgin olive oil carries a unique flavour profile that deepens the complexity of your dish. Because the flavour can be so accentuated in baked goods, it is important to use high-quality extra virgin olive oil such as Morocco Gold.

A second reason for using extra virgin olive oil in your baked treats is the health benefits that come along. Extra virgin olive oil has no shortage of benefits for your health and wellness. This monounsaturated fat helps keep your cholesterol in check as well as offering a host of antioxidants that are essential for healthy living. Incorporating a more monounsaturated or polyunsaturated source of fat rather than just saturated fats. Compared to vegetable oils, extra virgin olive oil is free from chemicals and other impurities that compromise both the nutrients and flavour of the ingredient.

5/ Add A Drizzle Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil To Their Favourite Salad

We have left the more obvious choice for last but, as we all know it can sometimes be tricky to encourage children to eat enough fresh fruit and vegetables.  So why not get them involved in choosing their own ingredients for a perfect summer salad – and naming it too!  Just don’t forget the finishing touch – you’ve guessed it – a drizzle of the best olive oil you can find will give your salad some of the best health properties going. That’s something the whole family will thank you for longer term.

Which Extra Virgin Olive Oil is Best for Polyphenols?

We know we may be biased but we have very good reason to claim that Morocco Gold is one of the best choices you can make to boost your intake of polyphenols through extra virgin olive oil.

The high polyphenol content of Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil is dependent on three factors. First is the variety of the olive, secondly the climate and terroir of the growing region and thirdly the actual time in the growing season that the crop is harvested.

Morocco Gold is pressed from the Picholine Marocaine, the only type of olive to go into Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil. Oil from this variety is renowned for its high polyphenol count, oxidative stability and longevity.

Thirdly, our olives are picked when the fruit is young and green. As the olives age on the tree, the colour of the olive changes to red and then black, the size of the olive increases thus producing more oil, but the polyphenol level decreases. There is a great deal of expertise within the farming community where we source our oil to ensure that the harvest is collected at the optimum time to maximise the polyphenol level in Morocco Gold extra virgin olive oil.