Ekulo International, marketers of Goya extra virgin olive oil, has unveiled the cooking oil version of the product in Nigeria.
The marketing manager of the company, Mr. Emeka Oramadike, said in a statement on Thursday that time had come for Nigerians to look beyond the spiritual use of the oil and experiment with something other than the conventional palm oil and various brands of vegetable and groundnut oils used for cooking.
According to Oramadike, Goya olive oil which comes in 89ml, 250ml, 500ml bottles and one litre and three litres tins, has been the preferred brand in American and European homes for cooking..
“It is one of the best cooking oils used in developed countries as it contains no cholesterol. That is what we aim to do with users in Nigeria, to make them see the health benefits of using olive oil to cook their meals,” he said.
Oramadike said the oil reduces the risk of coronary heart disease because it has a high proportion of monounsaturated fats and also contains antioxidants such as vitamin E and carrotenoids, and unlike saturated fats, lowers cholesterol and levels in the blood. It is also known to lower blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
He said, “We want the best for Nigerian users” Oramadike said. “This is why Ekulo International Ltd has gone out of its way to see the best olive oil is available to Nigerians. More than anything is to let them know it can be used for cooking and not only spiritual cleansing.
“Besides its nutritional value, the oil is equally used as a panacea for various skin problems such as dry skin, itches and burns. It is also used to treat dandruff and other dermatological issues that people all over the world contend with.”
He noted that it has been used by generations of Europeans and Americans to treat various maladies, “form facial massages o soothing chapped palms, preventing sunburn and even treating cardio-vascular diseases.
“Beyond that it is used as an anti-ageing agent without the side effects of other anti-oxidants in the market today. It might also interest users of Extra Virgin Olive Oil to know that the oil has demulcent properties, and mild laxative properties, acting as a stool softener.”