Olive Oil has been a staple in many kitchen pantries. It is known for its versatility, flavor and important health benefits. Olive Oil is often used to refer to Extra Virgin Olive Oil. This extra virgin oil classification refers to olive oil that has been mechanically extracted from them without the use of heat or chemicals.
The International Olive Council and USDA also require brands to adhere to the standards for oils that are labelled with extra-virgin olive oil. However, it is always a good idea do some research on the brand you are buying, as they may not be following these standards all the time.
This has often led to fraud in the Olive Oil Industry. Some Olive Oil suppliers will mix extra virgin olive oil in other cheaper oils in order to increase their profits. You may now be wondering, "What makes Extra Virgin Olive Oil so healthful?"
High in Heart-Healthy Monounsaturated Fats
Because of their heart health benefits, monounsaturated fats are a great healthy fat to include in your diet.
Olive Oil contains 73% fat from oleic acids, which is a type Monounsaturated Fats. Olive Oil may also help to lower inflammation, lower blood pressure, protect LDL cholesterol and prevent unwanted blood clotting.
Olive Oil Is A Great Anti-Inflammatory
Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains high levels of antioxidants. Particularly, it is rich in polyphenols which act as antioxidants and may have anti-inflammatory properties.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil has some anti-inflammatory properties. Most fats cause more inflammation. These same antioxidant polyphenols also have exceptional anti-inflammatory properties.
Olive Oil Has Great Digestive Health Benefits
Test tube and human trials have shown that Olive Oil may be antibacterial, particularly against Helicobacter Pylori.
This bacteria lives in the stomach, and can cause stomach cancer and ulcers. A human study found that 30g of Extra Virgin Olive Oilroutinely could reduce Helicobacter Pylori infection by 10-40% in just two weeks.
Olive Oil Is A Great Cancer Fighter
A few studies also found that people who eat a diet high in Olive Oil are less likely to develop upper digestive tract cancers.
People who consume olive oil daily have lower rates of certain types of cancer. Antioxidants in Olive Oil might help to prevent free radicals, which are thought to be the leading cause of cancer.
Olive Oil Is Great For Rheumatoid Arthritis
People with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who alternate their diet with Olive Oil show improved inflammatory markers as well as reduced oxidative stress. This is especially true if olive oil supplementation includes fish oil.
One study found that people who took olive oil and fish oils together had significantly less joint pain, greater grip strength, and lower morning stiffness.
Olive Oil Has Essential Cognitive Benefits
The Mediterranean diet has one benefit: it improves cognitive function, particularly in older people. Research is ongoing to determine the role of olive oil in this. It is an important component of the Mediterranean diet.
Recent animal research suggests that olive oil may be beneficial during brain imbalances. This could be due to molecules moving too quickly along the blood barrier.
Some early-stage research suggests that olive oil may prevent the buildup of plaques in brain cells, which is a key feature in Alzheimer's Disease. However, further human studies are required.
