Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil has just been touted as a"genius food" by Max Lugavere, a well-studied health and science journalist. EVOO's chemical components support this new standard awarded to our precious"liquid gold".

We've put together the top 5 health benefits of extra virgin olive oil to assist you understand just how great this stuff is for us.

5 HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL1. INCREASED BRAIN LONGEVITY

EVOO is linked to brain longevity because of many components that make up this gorgeous oil. For starters, the phenol known as oleocanthal is a very powerful antioxidant that encourages the body's innate repair mechanisms.

We can taste this specific antioxidant when trying a more robust olive oil - one that comes from olives that were pressed early in the harvest season - it'll leave a very peppery feeling at the back of the throat, you may even cough after attempting it.

Research explains that utilizing EVOO as a preventative measure can maintain cognitive function and in some cases even improve cognitive function once decline has begun. Oleocanthal may also stimulate the enzymes that breakdown amyloid plaque (a marker of Alzheimer's Disease), it may enhance synapse integrity and reduce neuro-inflammation.

RICH SOURCE OF MONOUNSATURATED FATS

Fat composition rather than fat level is important for wellbeing and that not all fatty acids have the same effect on health. -Anne Brunet, Stanford University

Olive oil's fat content is made up of 73% monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). This kind of fat is liquid at room temperature and will solidify when refrigerated. MUFAs are a"healthy fat", and just to clear the air, they, just like any other kind of fat (polyunsaturated, trans, saturated) have 9 calories a gram - these 9 calories coming from MUFAs are just far more useful to our bodies than the other kinds of fats are.

MUFAs are a massive part of a healthy diet because of their ability to enhance the human body's serum lipid (fat) profile, reducing the fat content in the blood. MUFAs are also related to a decrease in metabolic syndromes across the board - disorders such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), heart disease, and other syndromes that result from insulin resistance. STRENGTHENS THE CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Olive oil has been consumed for thousands of year all around the globe, but when we zoom in on the Mediterranean region of the world, we find that extra virgin olive oil is absorbed at rather high amounts on a daily basis, it just so happens that this area of the world also has exceptionally low rates of heart disease. Coincidence?

I believe not! EVOO has impressive evidence in regards to protecting the heart and cardiovascular system. The potent antioxidants in EVOO are what makes this oil so good for us - as mentioned abovethey are firmly anti-inflammatory, they help correct improper cholesterol levels, they strengthen the integrity of the blood vessels, they reduce blood pressure and can stop unwanted clotting in the blood.

HIGH IN PLANT-DERIVED VITAMIN E & VITAMIN K

Extra virgin olive oil contains rather strong ratios of both Vitamin E and Vitamin K, 2 fat-soluble vitamins that play an important part in our well-being - convenient that nature provides us already packaged at the fat of extra virgin olive oil, so our bodies can readily absorb these vitamins!

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect the cells from free radical damage. It encourages healthy, strong hair and skin and even supports a balancing of our hormones! From just 1 tablespoon of EVOO, you are getting 10 percent of your daily recommended value of vitamin E.

Vitamin K is a vitamin necessary to heart health, specifically to the reduction of clotting in the blood. It has also been associated with a reduction in Alzheimers, type 2 diabetes, and other insulin resistant syndromes. Vitamin k is even associated in being effective against fighting certain types of cancers! Powerful stuff, huh?

IT IS STRONGLY ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the richest natural oils in antioxidants, and not just any old antioxidants, but some of the most powerful ones in regards to inflammation. Oleocanthal, oleacein, oleuropein aglycon, ligstroside aglycon and quite a few more polyphenols are responsible for inhibition of inflammatory prostaglandins leading to anti-inflammtory benefits and reduced pain.

It has been said that 25 ml of EVOO is comparable to a small dose of ibuprofen when taken for pain and inflammation consistently (daily).