Cocoa Tickles™

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Avocado Oil

In the 1960s, it was found that the people of Greece (Crete) consumed a great deal of salt and fat (but also plant food). Surprisingly, they were living longer than the Japanese, who were also eating a lot of salt but whose diet was low in fat and lower in plant foods. This longevity was mainly due to much lower rates of stroke and stomach cancer among the Greeks, as well as low rates of heart disease and other cancers. Researchers also noticed that people living in countries around the Mediterranean had a lower incidence of heart disease, despite their high intake of mono-unsaturated fats, such as olive oil. This led to investigations into what is known as 'the Mediterranean diet', of which olive oil is a major part.

Recent studies into the health benefits of olive oil have found that it can lower the risk of coronary heart disease by reducing blood cholesterol levels. According to one study, a person's risk of fatal heart attack is halved in just two to four years, once they switch to 'the Mediterranean diet', which includes using olive oil as the main dietary fat, increasing vegetable intake and limiting meat and dairy foods. Research has also found that olive oil may influence body fat distribution, with less fat stored around the stomach.

Avocado Oil has a high content of monounsaturated fats that inhibit the absorption of "bad" cholesterol increasing at the same time the level of "good" cholesterol. The presence of an important quantity of vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant, reduces coronary risks and renews the skin.

Avocado Oil's high point of burning protects foods and highlights their natural flavors.