Exceptional Health Benefits of Using Olive Oil In Your Cooking Recipes
Olive oil is an essential component of the healthy Mediterranean diet. It tastes delicious in salads, on pasta, and on fish.
Olive Oil is more well-known than any other oil for its numerous health benefits. It's even believed to be the secret to longer life expectancies in the Mediterranean. It is no surprise that it offers a wide range of health benefits.
Here are seven amazing health benefits that Olive Oil has to offer.
Olive Oil is high in healthy fats and great for heart health.
Monounsaturated fat (MUFA) is the main type found in olive oils. The good news is that MUFAs can lower your total cholesterol as well as LDL (the worst) cholesterol. They also may help to normalize blood clotting.
Lowering your LDL cholesterol will make your arteries less clogged and reduce the risk of developing heart disease or stroke. You can increase your intake by replacing butter with margarine and butter with products containing oils, such as Bertolli butter.
Olive Oil is jammed with antioxidants
Olive oil has vitamin E, carotenoids (phenolic compounds), and is a powerful antioxidant. These antioxidants can be used to reduce the formation of harmful free radicals within the body.
Free radicals, which are groups of atoms with an odd amount of electrons, attach to healthy cells and initiate a negative chain react. They can injure blood vessels and damage DNA, as well as cause mutations in genes that can lead directly to cancer.
Olive Oil can be used to lower blood pressure
The health of your heart can be maintained by MUFAs. Olive oil, which is high in monounsaturated oils, also contains high amounts of the essential fatty acid (EFA), omega-3. Omega-3 and MUFAs can help to lower blood pressure. It is known as an EFA, because it cannot be made by the body and must be obtained from food sources.
Olive Oil Can Help You Protect From Depression
Recent research has shown that olive oil can have positive effects on your mental and physical health. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, University of Navarra, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria analyzed over 12,000 participants and found that a diet high in olive oil and other polyunsaturated fats is associated with a lower likelihood of mental illness.
While early research suggests that cardiovascular disease and depression might share some commonalities, more studies are needed.
Olive Oil May Play An Essential Role In Preventing Osteoporosis
It is becoming more clear that olive oil may be beneficial in increasing calcium levels. This may have a positive impact on bone density.
Olive Oil May Lower Alzheimer's Disease Risk
Initial studies show that an olive oil extract (oleocanthal), can help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's. There is more research needed in this area. However, olive oil could be part of a Mediterranean-style diet. This diet tends to be high on vegetables, fruit, and fish, which may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Reduces Inflammation
Extra-virgin Olive oil has been proven to mimic the effects of non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs. It can be used to treat conditions like rheumatoid. Oleocanthal, which is a compound, can also inhibit pro-inflammatory enzymes.
The compound was studied in relation to rheumatoid-arthritis. Researchers discovered that it had a significant impact both on chronic inflammation and acute inflammation. A 3.5 tablespoon of the compound is equivalent to a 200mg tablet containing ibuprofen.