A gut health expert has revealed all on what to look out for when buying olive oil in a helpful video on TikTok, which has been viewed more than 2.1 million times
Shoppers make a common mistake when searching for decent olive oil, a health expert has claimed.
Known for good reason as “liquid gold”, the popular Mediterranean diet staple holds a treasure trove of health benefits. According to Healthline, it’s brimming with monounsaturated fats that are champions at cutting down inflammation and oxidative stress.
Drizzle one tablespoon of the stuff over your salad, and you’ll get a hefty boost of vitamins K and E. But navigating the sea of options on the supermarket shelves can be bewildering, leaving many confused about which bottle will actually bring these benefits to your dinner plate.
Now a gut health guru has broken it down, revealing the common blunder people make while hunting for high-quality olive oil – not paying enough attention to the labels. TikToker and seasoned Mediterraneo-turned-scientist Mr Gut Health has been dishing the dirt on his dietary discoveries, now unveiling how to spot the real deal amidst a plethora of olive oils at the store, reports the Express.
He highlighted three crucial clues for spotting genuinely good oil, with the first being the absolute game-changer. The expert advised: “If it says extra virgin, then it’s pretty much guaranteed.”
“‘Extra virgin’ isn’t just a fancy label,” he said. “It signifies an olive oil untouched by refining processes, preserving its flavoursome zest, essential vitamins, and minerals, produced without a whiff of heat or harsh chemicals.”
The origin of the olive oil is the next thing to consider, which should be clearly stated on the label. Using a bottle of Filippo Berio as an example, he explained: “Some EVOO, like this one, uses olives from different countries.”
“While oil from a single country might offer better traceability, it’s perfectly acceptable to use olives from various countries.” The third and final consideration is a crucial sentence, typically found on the back of the bottle, that provides insight into the production process.
Turning the bottle around and reading from the label, the expert said: “Superior category olive oil obtained directly from olives and solely by mechanical means.” He added: “This guarantees that the oil has been properly extracted to maintain its nutrients. And just so you know, you can cook with EVOO, and it’s much healthier than using butter or tallow.”