Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil That Can't Get Away From
You may know that olive oil is healthy for you personally when compared to other types of oil. But not all olive oils are the same, nor do they all lead to the same health benefits. If it comes to your health, extra virgin olive oil is the best option, and often the only kind of olive oil you need to use.
What Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
Extra virgin olive oil, or EVOO, is olive oil that is unrefined, making it the maximum quality olive oil available. Regular, refined olive oils do not confer the same health benefits because the methods for refining these oils often destroy the vitamins and other nutrients found in EVOO.
Vitamins in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
What vitamins are in olive oil exactly? You may find Vitamins A, E, and K. These extra virgin olive oil vitamins might offer a number of different benefits.
Vitamin A supports bone health, protects your eyes from night blindness and age-related decline, supports a healthy immune system, may reduce your risk of certain cancers, could help improve acne, and supports development and reproduction.
Vitamin E moisturizes the skin, aids in wound healing, helps protect against skin cancer, relieves itchy skin, may alleviate psoriasis and eczema, prevents or reduces the appearance of scars, prevents fine lines, wrinkles, and sunburns, and promotes nail health.
Vitamin K is a lesser-known fat-soluble vitamin. It contributes to the health of the bones, the brain, and the heart.
Antioxidants in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
EVOO is also full of antioxidants which have many of their own health benefits. There are more than 30 phenolic compounds within EVOO that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals have been proven to damage tissues, contribute to various diseases, and accelerate the aging process.
In addition to antioxidants, extra virgin olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), that are the healthiest of fats. MUFAs make up approximately 74% of the fats from olive oil.
Other Potential Extra Virgin Olive Oil Health Benefits
There is a long list of health benefits linked to eating and cooking with extra virgin olive oil. It is a mainstay in the Mediterranean diet, which has been scientifically proven to be one of the best diets for your health. Here are some of the many extra virgin petroleum benefits.
Remember that these are potential benefits of EVOO and are not guaranteed.
EVOO May Help Lower Your Risk of Heart Disease
Populations that adhere to diets full of EVOO have reduced mortality rates from heart disease than others that do not consume as much extra virgin olive oil. Observational studies have consistently shown this to be the case, reinforcing the importance of making EVOO a part of your regular diet.
EVOO May Protect Against Stroke
The same compounds in olive oil that contribute to a lower risk of heart disease also give rise to a lower risk of stroke. This is because both heart disease and stroke are related to cardiovascular health, and research continue to find a lesser risk of stroke as well as heart disease.
EVOO Might Help Decrease Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Type two diabetes is another growing health concern. Observational studies have shown that EVOO assists with insulin sensitivity, which can help protect against type 2 diabetes. Because of its impact on insulin sensitivity, EVOO may also be used to manage blood sugar in diabetics.
EVOO Might Improve Bone Health
The polyphenols in EVOO have been linked to enhanced bone health in recent scientific studies. More research is required, however, it is thought that olive oil consumption could decrease bone loss among aging populations.
The Phenolic Compounds in EVOO Might Help Prevent Certain Cancers
While more studies are needed to become conclusive, many researchers agree that the reduction of free radicals in the body can prevent certain cancers from developing. As stated earlier, EVOO has many antioxidants that help to combat free radicals.
EVOO May Improve Brain Health
EVOO may lessen the risk of age-related dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Observational studies found that those following a Mediterranean diet high in olive oil consumption had less cognitive decline over a 6.5-year period than those following a standard low-fat dietplan.
More research is necessary to be able to be definitive, but adding olive oil into your diet in the meanwhile certainly could not hurt.
EVOO Might Improve Overall Health and Longevity
Because of its benefits to cardiovascular, cognitive, and bone health, EVOO is thought to be a factor in increasing both strength and overall health. Many of the studies focus specifically on the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in vegetables and low in fat, because of its use of olive oil as its main source of fat.
The phytochemicals, polyphenols, and vitamins found in extra virgin olive oil have displayed benefits in a huge variety of health areas across a wide-ranging group of different populations analyzed. The preponderance of proof mounting to support olive oil, and especially EVOO, as important to long life and good health shouldn't be taken lightly.
EVOO Is Possibly the Best Cooking Oil
While there are many oils that claim to be the most appropriate for cooking, when you take a look at the health benefits associated with EVOO, there are few that can stand up to the rivalry. In fact, many cooking oils have demonstrated to be detrimental to heart health.
EVOO is also a practical option for cooking because it comes from a wide variety of flavor profiles. Most individuals are not aware that producing EVOO is similar to creating wine. It is the variety of olive that changes the profile, similar to the way the variety of grape creates different kinds of wine.
Cooking With EVOO May Make Your Food Cheaper
Researchers have found that food cooked in EVOO may be more nutritious. This is because the antioxidants in EVOO do not break down in high heat such as those in many other cooking oils do. Foods, therefore, absorb many of the vitamins, antioxidants, and good fats from EVOO.
Drinking Olive Oil Benefits
Studies have been shown on whether or not drinking EVOO yields any additional health benefits versus cooking . Health professionals do agree that as long as you adhere to the recommended amount of fats and calories in your daily diet, the system of ingestion should not affect the potential EVOO health benefits. T
Here is 1 caveat, and that is to make sure that you are not missing out on other nutrition that you need if you drink extra virgin olive oil. Also, keep in mind that the calories and fat can mount up rather fast if consuming it in this manner.