What does Extra Virgin mean?
Virgin Olive Oil (obtained from the first pressing) is divided into three categories according to differing levels of acidity. These are:1. Extra Virgin 2. Virgin and 3. Current, or semi-fine, virgin. Virgin Olive Oil can only be processed by washing, decantation, centrifuging and filtration. No other processes are permitted. A grading system established by the International Olive Oil Council (I.O.O.C) in 1995 further defines Olive Oils. In general, the acidity within each grade equates to flavor.

DESCRIPTION ACIDITY

1st Grade (the best) Extra Virgin: 1st pressing fruity, sweet, buttery flavor tones. 1%
2nd Grade Fine Virgin: 1st pressing but aged, milder flavors 1.5%
3rd Grade Semi-Fine or Current: 1st pressing but aged, bitter or peppery flavor tones 3%
4th Grade Refined or Riviera (low quality oil), high acidity oil: 2nd pressing and/or hexane extracted, neutral flavor tones often enhanced by the addition of virgin oil. 5%
5th Grade Pomance: solvent extracted and fully refined, edible but low grade
6th Grade Lampante: inedible.


What does Cold-Pressed mean?
Cold-pressed means that no heat or chemicals (which destroy nutrients) are used in the pressing process.

What are the health benefits of Bragg Organic Olive Oil?
For proper nutrition, the human body needs more than the consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, starches, vitamins, minerals and fiber - it also needs fats, which play an important role in controlling cholesterol, regulating hormones and balancing the immune system. While Americans may need to reduce the total amount of fat in their diets, they also need to include the right kind of high quality fats. Olive oil is one of the most healthful culinary oils available to provide the body with the proper “fat balance.”

While anecdotal stories praising the benefits of olive oil are legion, today, scientific research confirms olive oil’s status as a health-promoting oil. Derived from a fruit source, olive oil has no cholesterol and very little saturated fat (which can increase body cholesterol). Olive oil has a very high level of monounsaturated fat – up to 80% - and scientists now believe that monounsaturated fats actually reduce cholesterol in the bloodstream.
Olive oil has also been regarded as the “beauty oil.” In fact, olive oil’s beauty is more than skin deep. The body’s cells incorporate the valuable fatty acids from the oil, making the skin more lustrous.

What is the nutrient content of Bragg Organic Olive Oil?
The nutritional power of olive oil lies in its fatty acids and the complex chemical adjuncts which are attached to these fatty acid chains. Oleic acid (omega 9) is the predominant fatty acid in olive oil; it is the substance which gives olive oil its “heart-healthy” reputation. Omega 9 fatty acids are resistant to oxidation and hold their stability and freshness for a long time compared to many other less stable polyunsaturated oils like corn, soybean and flaxseed oils.

In addition, the natural nutritional compounds found in olive oil make it a potent nutritional food and a good source of many micro nutrients. It has trace amounts of squalene, a substance with nutritional properties associated with connective tissue function. Beta carotene is also present in the oil as are other tocopherols. These natural antioxidants are precursors to Vitamin E, a necessary vitamin for health. Sterols, which provide easy absorption and emulsification properties when digested, are also present in olive oil, as are phospholipids which help emulsify and digest fats uniformly. These substances also provide minute but important quantities of subnutrients like mono-and digalactosyldiglycerides, cerebrosides and sulphoids which have an array of nutritional properties associated with cell membrane integrity.

What is the shelf life of and how do I store Bragg Organic Olive Oil?
Although Olive Oil ma

Bragg Live Foods, Inc. is the result of a life time of crusading the word of good Health worldwide since 1912. Paul C. Bragg, originator of Health Food Stores in America, founded the company, now run by his daughter Patricia Bragg, N.D., Ph.D., who continues to spread the gospel of health by providing natural healthy products, and a library of self-help books. Bragg Live Food Products at one time produced 365 products, the first vitamins, minerals, health teas, health foods, health candies; skin care etc, "we had one for every day of the year" says Patricia. Now she continues to sell her three favorites, Organic Apple Cider Vinegar, Organic Olive Oil, and Liquid Aminos, as well at 10 best selling self-help books. Her Apple Cider Vinegar-Miracle Health System has sold over six million cop

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