10 Awesome Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has long been a dietary staple of some of the world's healthiest populations. Packed with anti-inflammatory compounds, anti-oxidants and heart healthy fatty acids, it is now praised as one of nature's best superfoods and can be consumed regularly to improve over all health and wellness. Olive Oil is excellent for you and Olive Oil calories are nutritious.

Known by the ancients as liquid gold, here are some of the top benefits you may experience from daily consumption of premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

It can boost your immune system.

We all have occasions when our immune system is compromised and we're feeling under the weather and this is where adding a dose of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can help. It is loaded with powerful antioxidants that work within the entire body to fight damage from free radicals which attack healthy cells.

When antioxidant levels are reduced, the body is unable to fight off free radical damage and disease can happen. Extra Virgin Olive Oil increases your ability to fight off sickness and disease.

It protects your heart.

Studies indicate that a daily intake of Extra Virgin Olive Oil lowers the risk of heart disease of all types. It has been shown to thin the blood, decrease blood pressure, decrease the risk of stroke, regulate cholesterol by lowering the LDL (bad) and maintaining the HDL (good form ).

It is all because of the high degree of antioxidant plant compounds that protect red blood cells from damage and help prevent the build up of plaque from the arteries.

It can help to protect against Alzheimer's Disease.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains up to 75 percent monounsaturated fat that is beneficial to the brain. Research demonstrates that it can protect the brain, inhibit cognitive decline, enhance memory, decrease the risk of depression and help to prevent Alzheimer's Disease. This is brain food in a bottle!

It can help reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Various studies have revealed that a diet rich in olive oil decreases the risk of breast cancer as well as bowel and colon cancer, and it can help to protect from cancer. This is due to a naturally occurring chemical in non refined olive oil called Oleocanthal that is able to fight against cancer cells without harming healthy cells.

It reduces inflammation and eases arthritis pain.

Olive oil is rich in omega-3 fatty acids which function as an anti inflammatory and help to reduce swelling and pain in arthritic joints. The Arthritis Foundation in the UK recently advocated consuming 2-3 tablespoons daily to decrease joint inflammation caused by arthritis.

The oleocanthal in olive oil mimics the action of ibuprofen and can be added to a daily diet to aid in pain loss and this is a natural remedy without any harmful side effects.

Healthy skin.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is high in fat soluble vitamin E which is well-known for skin health and has been used through history to treat a variety of skin conditions including psoriasis and eczema. It is also very hydrating and will not strip the natural oils from the skin like other harsh chemical based beauty products.

May enhance bone health.

Olive oil consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of bone loss as you age. The polyphenols at the EVOO assist in calcium absorption and the vitamin K can help to enhance bone health and may help prevent osteoporosis.

May help to reduce blood pressure.

It has been demonstrated that adding olive oil to a diet has a clear lowering effect on blood pressure. Regular consumption of olive oil decreases both polyunsaturated (maximum) and diastolic (minimal ) blood pressure, maybe because of a reduction in nitric acid caused by the polyphenols.

Helps your body to detoxify.

Blend 1 shot of olive oil with the juice of half a lemon and a little warm water and drink it on an empty stomach. This powerful combination will help your body to get rid of toxins and pollutants that accumulate in the liver. It also helps to clean the gallbladder and its own slight laxative effect will alleviate constipation and keep your colon healthy.

Can help weight loss.

It may seem like an oxymoron but you have to eat fat to lose fat. The healthy monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil help boost your energy, fuel your metabolism, cause new cell growth, assist nutrient absorption and provide your body with healthy calories.

These healthy fats are key to controlling extra insulin and can help to lower the risk of type two diabetes.

Utilize Extra Virgin Olive Oil to replace some of the heavy carbs or processed foods into your diet and you'll encounter its satiating quality that curbs cravings and signals to your brain that you're full.

Simply drizzle raw Extra Virgin Olive Oil on vegetables, salads & home made soups, you can set it on absolutely everything!