Nutraceutical EVO oil

Nutraceutical is defined as a food which, rich in nutritional properties, acts like a drug when taken, that is, with healing properties. The term was created by Dr. Stephen De Felice in 1989, Italian-American doctor, and is the combination of "nutrition" and "pharmaceuticals". Therefore, a food defined as "nutraceutical" has improved effects on health. Extra virgin olive oil, with its peculiar organoleptic characteristics, can be defined as a natural nutraceutical as long as it satisfies the directives of the reg. EU 432/2012. In particular, the contents of polyphenols and vitamin E must be at least 2.5 mg of Vit. E and 5 mg. of polyphenols for every 20 gr. of product, that for 100 gr. of EVO oil (how the nutritional labels of any food are structured) means that the minimum quantity must be 25 mg. of polyphenols and 12.5 mg. that is, "minimum 15% of the recommended daily dose (10 mg according to Directive 90/496/EEC)". Recent studies have shown that about 34% of tumors are caused by food factors, so the daily use of extra virgin olive oil is strongly recommended. The nutritional and beneficial contributions of the nutraceutical EVO oil are due to the quantity of oleic acid (which helps to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood and increase its fluidity); to the squalene present in relevant quantities which seems to have an important function in contrasting skin tumors; the contribution of vitamins such as A, D and K, in addition of course to vit. And with highly antioxidant function; the high quantity of unsaturated fats such as omega 3 and 6, which many studies have established as essential for the growth of nervous tissue, especially in children and finally its composition, which is similar to mother's milk fat and therefore very important in infant nutrition. Furthermore, it has extraordinary functions in improving the digestion and absorption of nutrients in general and in particular of calcium.

For the American FDA (Food and Drugs Administration), a very strict body that supervises the quality of food and drugs introduced into the US market, extra virgin olive oil is a drug in all respects and promotes the consumption of at least half a spoonful per day, without increasing the overall daily calories, an amount that guarantees an excellent effect on the prevention of individuals' health and the prevention of heart attacks. This has meant that the US market, after Italy and Spain, became the third in the world for per capita consumption of extra virgin olive oil, once again confirming the validity and effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet of which EVO oil is the main protagonist .