Australian Olive Association Celebrates Heart Week
Australian Olive Association Celebrates Heart Week
Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil the practically perfect food
In support of the Australian Heart Foundation's Heart Week, Paul Miller, President of the Australian Olive Association (AOA), wants Australians to know that Australian extra virgin olive oil is a practically perfect food when it comes to preventing heart disease risk factors.
A study done by Maria-Isabel Covas PhD and colleagues, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, showed how extra virgin olive oil definitely affects the heart in a positive way. The study using 200 healthy male volunteers was carried out in six research centres across five European countries and demonstrated that the phenolic content in extra virgin olive oil provided benefits for plasma lipid levels and oxidative damage. Olive oil is rich in polyphenols which have antioxidant properties and affect serum lipid levels.1
Says Paul Miller, President of the Australian Olive Association, "Maria's study demonstrates that extra virgin olive oil has greater health benefits than refined olive oil. A daily 25 mL dose of olive oil reduced lipid cardiovascular risk factors and improved glutathione antioxidant status. But if one took take high and medium polyphenol olive oil – like Australian extra virgin olive oil – daily, there is decreased oxidative damage on lipids. In other words, it's better – there are definitive positive effects on the heart with daily consumption of extra virgin olive oil which has high levels of polyphenols."
Nutritional scientist Dr Joanna McMillan says: "There are many aspects of diet and exercise which can positively affect your heart. Extra virgin olive oil is one because of the high level of polyphenols and because it's a monounsaturated fat – a good fat. And Australian extra virgin olive oil is freshest because it gets from tree to table quickest. The fresher the product, the better it is for you. So have a happy Heart Week and a healthy dose of Australian extra virgin olive oil."
To ensure that consumers can be certain that they are buying the highest Australian quality, the AOA has introduced a Code of Practice which guarantees the authenticity and quality of certified Australian extra virgin olive oil. The Code of Practice symbol distinguishes quality certified Australian products from all others in local and international marketplaces.
1 Covas, Maria-Isabel et al; Annals of Internal Medicine; Vol. 145, Number 5, 5 September 2006; pp 333-341
About the Australian Olive Association
The Australian Olive Association was founded in 1995 as the industry body to encourage research and dissemination of information and the sustained development of a national olive industry in Australia. The Association has launched the Australian Extra Virgin brand to raise awareness and educate consumers about the health benefits, freshness and quality of Australian extra virgin olive oil. For more information on the Australian Olive Association, please visit www.australianolives.com.au. For more information on Australian Extra Virgin Olive Oil, visit www.australianextravirgin.com.au
For more information, please contact
Melanie King, 303 PR
melanie@303.com.au 02 9552 2100