5 Proven Health Benefits Of Quality Olive Oil
The health effects of dietary fat are always disputable. However, experts agree that olive oil — especially extra virgin — is good for you.
Here are five proven health benefits of olive oil which are reinforced by scientific research.
Olive Oil Is Abundant In Healthy Monounsaturated Fats
Olive Oil is the natural oil extracted from olives, the fruit of the olive tree. On average, about 14% of the oil is saturated fat, whereas 11% is polyunsaturated, such as omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.
Nonetheless, the predominant fatty acid in Olive Oil is a monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid, making up 73% of the total oil content.
Studies recommend that oleic acid lowers inflammation and may even have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.
Monounsaturated fats are also known to be resistant to high heat, as a result, making Extra Virgin Olive Oil a healthy selection when cooking.
Olive Oil Has Large Amounts Of Antioxidants
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is fairly nutritious. Other then its beneficial fatty acids, it contains modest amounts of vitamins E and K. Moreover, Olive Oil is also packed with an abundance of antioxidants.
These antioxidants are biologically active and may help bring down your risk of chronic diseases. They also fight inflammation and help protect your blood cholesterol from oxidation — two benefits that may lower your risk of heart disease
Olive Oil Has Strong Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Chronic inflammation is believed to be a leading cause of diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and even obesity.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil can assist with bringing down inflammation, which may be one of the main reasons for its health benefits.
The main anti-inflammatory effects are solved by the antioxidants. Among them is oleocanthal, which has been known to be comparable to ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug.
Some scientists estimate that the oleocanthal in 3.4 tablespoons (50 ml) of Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a similar effect as 10% of the adult dosage of ibuprofen.
Additionally, research also recommends that oleic acid, the main fatty acid in olive oil, can reduce levels of essential inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP).
Olive Oil May Aid With Prevent Strokes
Stroke is caused by a disturbance of blood flow to your brain, either due to a blood clot or bleeding.
In developed nations, stroke is the second most common cause of death, right behind heart disease. The relationship between olive oil and stroke risk has been studied extensively.
An enormous review of studies in 841,000 people discovered that Olive Oil was the only source of monounsaturated fat related to a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.
In yet another review in 140,000 participants, those who consumed Olive Oil were at a much lower risk of stroke than those who didn’t.
Olive Oil Is Not Associated With Weight Gain and Obesity
Eating excessive amounts of fat causes weight gain. However, numerous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet, abundant in olive oil, with favorable effects on body weight.
Make Sure to Get The Right Type Of Olive Oil
Purchasing the right kind of Olive Oil is extremely important. Extra Virgin Olive Oil retains some of the antioxidants and bioactive compounds from olives. For this reason, it’s considered healthier than the more refined variety of olive oil.
Make sure to examine labels carefully to make sure you're getting real Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It’s generally always a great idea to read ingredients lists and check for quality certification.
At the end of the day, quality extra virgin olive oil is incredibly healthy. Due to its powerful antioxidants, true Olive Oil benefits your heart, brain, joints and more.