As I promised in one of my previous posts, today we will look at all the benefits of choosing first cold-pressed oils over refined oils. Yes, unrefined oils are slightly more expensive than their refined counterparts, but in this case, paying more is well worth it, because the effect that high-quality oils have on our bodies is so radically different from that of cheaper alternatives that it is worth taking a closer look.

Any refined oil, including olive oil, loses almost all of its beneficial properties during the refining process. At the same time, trans fats and carcinogens formed as a result of intense heat treatment are extremely harmful to the body. They accumulate in cells and eventually deform them, which can lead not only to hormonal imbalances, but also to atherosclerosis, heart disease, diabetes, immune system problems and many other health issues.

If, however, you switch exclusively to unrefined oils, your body will receive numerous benefits. This type of oil undergoes only mechanical purification, which allows all the beneficial substances in its composition to be preserved, with only small particles removed through simple physical filtration.

For example, unrefined olive oil consists of approximately 73% monounsaturated fats. These fats are highly beneficial for the body, as fatty acids such as Omega-3, Omega-6 and Omega-9 actively protect not only the heart, but also the blood vessels. Antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamin E, also play an important role in supporting the immune system.

In addition, unrefined olive oil contains a high amount of oleic acid, which helps retain moisture in the body’s tissues, thereby significantly rejuvenating them. It also boosts metabolism and helps to normalise blood sugar levels, significantly reducing the risk of diabetes.

So, this has been a brief overview of the effects that different types of oils—both refined and extra virgin—have on our bodies. Moreover, olive oil is not the only option. You can just as successfully include other types of unrefined oils in your diet, such as flaxseed, mustard, almond, pumpkin, amaranth, sesame, cedar, black cumin and even avocado oil. And this is far from a complete list of super-healthy and rejuvenating unrefined oils that are invaluable for our blood vessels and joints.

Naturally, their price is quite substantial, so personally, I regularly use extra virgin olive oil, which is much more affordable, and add some of the other oils mentioned above to my diet from time to time. Even occasional use of this treasure trove of beneficial substances can ultimately bring powerful and undeniable benefits to the body.