Extra virgin olive oil, an integral part of the Mediterranean diet for thousands of years, has been analyzed by scientists around the world to determine its value for human health and well-being.
These studies have proven that the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil are extensive. Here are just a few of the ways that olive oil can help keep us healthy.
Olive Oil Can Help Prevent Certain Cancers
Olive oil is full of antioxidants such as vitamin E and naturally occurring organic chemicals known as phytonutrients, which help prevent disease and keep the body functioning properly.
Phytonutrients are proven tumor inhibitors and aid in neutralizing free radicals thus diminishing the risk of many types of cancer, including breast, colon, colon, esophageal, prostate and skin cancers.
One compound, Oleocanthal, has anti-inflammatory properties and can decrease inflammation in the same way as ibuprofen, which is relevant because nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications have been related to both a decreased risk of breast cancer and its recurrence.
Regular Benefits of Olive Oil Can Decrease Blood Pressure
Researchers have demonstrated that polyphenols, components of extra virgin olive oil that act like antioxidants, and oleic acid, a fatty acid in olive oil, are liable for the diminishing effect in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Olive Oil Can Help Reduce Your"Bad" Cholesterol (LDL)
Monounsaturated fats protect against the buildup of plaque in the arteries, which can eventually lead to a blockage and the threat of a heart attack. Olive oil, one of the best sources of monounsaturated fats, not only lowers LDL, it also preserves the levels of"good" cholesterol (HDL) which protects the heart and reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
A Diet Rich in Olive Oil May Lower the Risk of Type II Diabetes
Olive oil increases insulin sensitivity so that your body doesn't have to produce as much of this hormone, thus lowering the risk of contracting Type II Diabetes. It also results in better control of glucose in the blood, which is important for people who already have the disease.
Olive Oil Can Aid Cognitive Function
Emerging research demonstrates that olive oil helps protect the cells of our central nervous system and brain, reducing the risk for dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.
Olive Oil Fights Osteoporosis
Supplementing your diet with olive oil has been found to positively affect the thickness of bones.
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.
From staying active to eating directly to getting sufficient sleep, there's a great deal we can do in order to stay healthy. And that includes having extra virgin olive oil on your finest recipes.
We all know olive oil tastes great. But were you aware that EVOO is not just tasty for flavor, it's also beneficial for your health, too?
Whether you use it in your vinaigrette salad dressing table, on your baking or in marinating your dinner, EVOO can do wonders for your health. It is an ingredient that doesn't only takes the flavor to a new level, it also amps up your health.
EVOO has several characteristics that make it a source for good health. And the fact that it's free of processed chemicals is just the start of its miracles.
Here, we share 8 benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil that can enhance your health and make you feel great.
High in healthy monounsaturated fats
If you think of fats, you may immediately think of unhealthy, processed ingredients. But fats are an essential part of your diet that have to be included daily. The kind of fat you use makes a big difference in your overall health.
EVOO has monounsaturated fats. This fat - oleic acid - comes with a variety of health benefits such as reducing inflammation and reducing your risk of heart disease.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Have Antioxidants That Are Great for Your Heart
Much of EVOO's credit for a health food stems from its own antioxidants. Polyphenols is just one of the natural antioxidants found in olive oil.
Similar to any other antioxidant, polyphenols have properties that can improve your heart health and do things such as reduced bad cholesterol and blood pressure. They function by clearing arteries and improving your overall cardiovascular health.
According to researcher Dr. Mary Flynn, EVOO high in polyphenols has shown to increase good cholesterol, HDL, while lowering bad cholesterol, LDL.
To hear more from Dr. Mary Flynn, check out this video on the Part of extra virgin olive oil at a healthy dietplan:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Has A Bundle of Antioxidants for Inflammation
Another antioxidant you can find in EVOO is oleocanthal. This antioxidant also can have profound effects in boosting your health. The antioxidant oleocanthal is an anti-inflammatory that reduces pain. It imitates the properties of an ibuprofen or other pain reliever in alleviating discomfort.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Anti-Bacterial
The antioxidants also have properties to act as an anti-bacterial. The antioxidant polyphenols in olive oil have demonstrated to be effective in preventing and delaying the development of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, Cholera, Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas and Influenza.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Prevents Gallstones
Afraid of getting gallstones? Use olive oil as part of your prevention methods. Considering olive oil encourages bile and other pancreatic hormones that are important for health. With these properties, olive oil helps to Decrease the risk of getting gallstones
Prevent Cancer
The benefits of EVOO keep getting better, as the antioxidants found in olive oil have also shown to decrease the risk of cancer. An article from Legion Athletics notes that the oleocanthal found in olive oil can increase the devastation rate of cancer cells.
From breast cancer to colon cancer to stomach cancer to more, the power of the antioxidants can do amazing things in prevention and healthy living.
Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can be a painful and frustrating condition to live with. Using olive oil's properties of anti-inflammatory and reducing oxidative stress, it can act as an aid to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis,
Boost Your Health With EVOO
With so many health benefits of using olive oil, you're going to want to use it in all! From the heart to your brain to your skin to your stomach, EVOO is an all around superfood to help you become healthy and feel great.
