Time to embrace the golden goodness of extra virgin olive oil in your kitchen.
Dec 03, 2023
Hi there,
You may of heard whispers about fat being the bad guy.
Dietary fat is a necessary part of a healthy diet for mental and physical health. Fats act as a storage form of energy and playing a pivotal role in various bodily functions. One of these essential functions is supporting our mental well-being.
But we need the right fats. Not all sources of fat are good for us.
Professor Felice Jacka is the director of the Food and Mood Centre at Deakin University Melbourne. Jacka is the founder of the International society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research. Plus the past president of the Australia Alliance for the Prevention of Mental Disorders. In other, words she is one of the leading experts in this field. I won't run off Jacka's other qualifications, If you're curious, I'm sure you will google her.
Her studies have show that improving your diet can aid major depression.
This itself demonstrates that diet can affect our brain. Food is fuel but it is also information for our brain too.
Nutrition is an important part of holistic health.
Professor Jacka emphasises, dietary fat serves as a powerhouse. She encourages people to focus on eating real food. Jacka is proponent of the Mediterranean Diet:
'It has by far the largest and most consistent evidence base for health benefits'. (Jacka, 2019)
Extra virgin olive oil is a key element of this diet.
Monounsaturated Magic:
Extra virgin olive oil takes the spotlight as a healthy monounsaturated fat. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) even gives it a thumbs up. Acknowledging its rich content of important antioxidants. Which are like tiny guardians. They help protect your brain from the wear and tear of oxidative stress.
Brain-Boosting and Anti-Inflammatory Goodness:
Hold on to your yoga mats, because the benefits of olive oil don't stop there! It's scientifically proven to improve brain function. It's armed with potent anti-inflammatory properties. Olive oil is a true friend to your mental well-being. It needs to be the extra virgin type, not the more processed versions. Extra virgin is oil extracted from the first pressing of the olives, according to Professor Felice Jacka.
Cooking Conundrum:
Have you ever heard that cooking with olive oil at high temperatures releases toxic by-products?
Well, let me spill the tea – that's a myth! Professor Jacka, set the record straight in her 2019 book Brain Changer. The crucial point here is that this concern holds true for some. For instance, oils high in polyunsaturated fatty acids like soybean and canola oil. This is not the case for olive oil. Again, If it is extra virgin type not the more processed versions. . (Jacka, 2019)
Time to embrace the golden goodness of extra virgin olive oil in your kitchen. Ditch Soybean and Canola! There are other oils I would ditch too, but I won't get there in this post
Until another post,
Liz
