Food

Trieste is known not only for its picturesque coastal...

The Mediterranean diet is renowned for its health benefits, and a key culinary technique within this tradition—sofrito—has been shown to significantly enhance the availability of polyphenols and carotenoids. A study investigating the sofrito technique, which involves cooking vegetables like tomatoes, onions, and garlic in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), revealed that this method increases the extractability of these bioactive compounds, making them more bioaccessible and easier to absorb.

The Mediterranean diet is globally celebrated for its health benefits, and within this tradition, the "bitter 3-fold" of Italian cuisine—extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), artichokes, and radicchio—stands out as a powerhouse of nutrition and flavor. These ingredients not only define the essence of Italian cooking but also contribute significantly to a polyphenol-rich diet that promotes longevity and well-being. Their unique combination of bitter compounds and antioxidants may help explain why Italians consistently rank at the top of global statistics for healthy years of life.

The self-proclaimed biohacker and longevity expert Dave Asprey argues that while extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has benefits, tallow and ghee are superior for high-heat cooking due to their stability. Heating oils can cause oxidation, producing harmful byproducts. Saturated fats are the most stable, followed by monounsaturated and then polyunsaturated fats.