10 Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive is an excellent source of vitamin A, E, K, calcium, potassium, iron, dietary fiber, amino acids and magnesium. Researchers agree that olives and olive oil contain anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic in nature.
Adopting Mediterranean dietary lifestyle which incorporates daily intake of olives and olive oil has been supported to have a beneficial impact on human health. Olives and olive oil are known to be healthily beneficial to human beings and being part of the Mediterranean diet, has made many researchers to pick interest in this fruit.
Olives and olive oil contains 80% of monounsaturated fats and 20% of polyunsaturated fats which makes them a healthy substitute for fatty oil and saturated fats such as butter thus highly recommended.
1. Lowers risk of cancer and heart disease
A review conducted with over 36,000 participants that higher rates of extra virgin olive oil consumption were associated with lower odds of having any type of cancer.
2. High in Monounsaturated Fats
Monosaturated Fats lower Cholesterol, benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control, helping you lower your risk of Type II Diabetes and heart disease.
3. Lowers acid levels in the stomach
Maintaining a healthy digestive system is so vital for preventing chronic diseases as well as for maintaining a healthy body. History has it that olives and olive oil have been used in the treatment of diverse digestive disorders. Olive oil helps in digestion for easy absorption of nutrients and vitamins by the body.
These benefits are attributed to the antimicrobial and antibacterial properties of olive oil which are needed for maintaining a healthy gut. Studies reveal that olive oil compounds have an impact on the antibacterial activities of Helicobacter pylori, including those resistant to antibiotic medication.
4. Excellent for cooking
Cooking with Extra Virgin Olive Oil can help retain – and in some instances increase – the number of nutrients and antioxidants in the cooked food that would otherwise be lost or damaged.
5. Fights aging
Extra Virgin Olive Oil has another component that other sources do not have, polyphenols, which have antioxidant activity. Only Extra virgin Olive Oils have this effect not refined Olive Oil.
Olive oil, especially those rich in polyphenols such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, may prevent bone loss with aging.
The results of a recent study in 870 participants seem to support this theory. They found that people who consumed the highest amount of Extra Virgin Olive Oil had a 51% reduced risk of bone fractures.
6. Helps control blood pressure
Several studies with different age groups and a large number of participants have found that the consumption of Extra Virgin Olive Oil is associated with a decrease in blood pressure.
7. Moisturizer for Skin and Hair
One of the most profound benefits of Olive oil for skin care is that it quickly and easily softens dry skin.
Olive oil on the body after bath for best results.Olive’s oil skin care benefits are most important for its anti-inflammatory effect on the skin, making it ideal for treating dandruff. Just massaging Extra-virgin Olive oil onto your scalp helps in getting rid of the dryness and soothes any need to scratch your scalp.
Olive oil has natural anti-bacterial as well as antifungal properties, making it a harmless, effective and natural way to get rid of head lice.
8. Anti-inflammatory
Introducing olives and olive oil in your dietary intake is a good approach for maintaining a healthy body. The presence of phenolic compounds such as oleocanthal in olives has been proved to possess a positive anti-inflammatory effects in the body. The oleocanthal acts as a therapeutic treatment against several chronic inflammatory diseases such as cancer and degenerative diseases.
9. Helps cognitive function
Results from multiple studies have shown that individuals who had moderate to intensive consumption of Extra Virgin Olive Oil had better odds of having no cognitive deficit compare to individuals who had never used Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
10. Lowes “BAD” Cholesterol
Extra Virgin Olive Oil can lower LDL thus protecting against plaque buildup and artery blockage, plus it does not affect the levels of HDL known as the good cholesterol.
How much?
2-3 Table spoons per day.
Australian certified olive oil is the highest quality in Australia when it comes to freshness and quality.
For the healthiest and most nutritious olive oil make sure to source yours locally and check for this Australian certification triangle.
