10 Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil, which originally comes from the Mediterranean, is produced by pressing fresh olive fruits. This oil is considered very healthy and beneficial for human health, especially extra virgin olive oil.
Researchers reveal new health benefits of olive oil nearly every day and it is believed to work wonders because it is packed with monosaturated fats, otherwise known as good fats, and secoiridoids.
What are the amazing health benefits of this wonder oil? Let’s find out.
Benefit #1: Boosts Heart Health
Olive oil is known to be very beneficial for cardiovascular health. First of all, it improves the elasticity of the arteries, which means that the blood will flow more efficiently and normally throughout the body. The healthier and more elastic the arteries are, the better the body parts will be supplied with blood, oxygen, and other important nutrients for proper functioning. Olive oil, by improving the elasticity of the arteries, will prevent the development of high blood pressure at the same time.
On the other hand, it is known that olive oil is packed with monosaturated fats, which means that it will reduce LDL cholesterol levels, otherwise known as bad cholesterol. Olive oil when consumed regularly will prevent atherosclerosis, which means that the risk of cardiovascular diseases like a heart attack or stroke will be reduced.
Benefit #2: Helps Prevent Strokes
Olive oil has been associated with potentially protective effects against many cardiovascular risk factors, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
However, recent studies have shown that olive oil, and especially the very best extra virgin olive oil, can help prevent strokes in elderly patients. Make sure to use olive oil instead of other sources of fat when preparing meals.
Benefit #3: Supports Brain Health
One of the health benefits of olive oil is that it supports brain health. The brain is mostly made up of fatty acids and, for this reason, we need a certain level of fat each day to perform daily tasks regularly. However, it is important to get the necessary fat that our brain and body needs from healthy sources, just like olive oil.
Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats that help us improve focus and memory, prevent age-related cognitive decline, help us to get a good night’s sleep, and help fight negative moods including depression. It is well known that low-fat diets are linked to high rates of mood changes, depression, and anxiety. If you want to be healthy, you should live a healthy life and eat healthy foods. Make sure to include olive oil in your diet not just for topping your salads but also for cooking and especially for frying foods. Your brain and the rest of your body will be thankful.
Benefit #4: Helps Fight Alzheimer’s Disease
Olive oil is known for many health benefits, especially extra virgin olive oil. According to the latest researches, extra virgin olive oil may protect a person from Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease, progressive at the same time, and for which no cure has yet been found.
There is also no way to reverse the damage that has already been done to the brain cells, even though there are certain medications that try to stop its progression. However, leading a healthy life and a healthy diet packed with monosaturated fats are known to boost brain health, also preventing degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Benefit #5: Helps Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic inflammation of the joints all over the human body, eventually leading to their permanent damage. Nowadays, there are many theories that try to explain how rheumatoid arthritis develops and how it affects the joints, but reactive oxygen species are thought to lead to the destruction of hyaluronic acid and collagen inside the affected joint.
Olive oil when consumed regularly is believed to help treat rheumatoid arthritis by reducing its signs and symptoms, especially pain and morning stiffness.
Benefit #6: Prevents Cancer
Olive oil is known for its many health benefits, and one of them is preventing cancer. Extra virgin olive oil, which is the best and the healthiest olive oil out there, helps fight cancer, especially breast cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Due to the fact that olive oil is packed with antioxidants, it can kill cancer cells and even suppress the cancer genes that inhibit the proliferation of new cancer cells and they’re spreading.
Olive oil is also known to prevent colon cancer, especially when used regularly for frying foods compared to other oils available on the market that most of us use daily. Frying with olive oil is healthier as the level of carcinogenic heterocyclic amines will be lower. These carcinogenic amines are produced when frying foods and they are related to breast cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer.
Benefit #7: Slows Down the Aging Process
Olive oil is packed with many healthy nutrients, including monounsaturated fats, secoiridoids, and antioxidants, which are very beneficial for the human body. Those who use olive oil their entire life tend to live longer and be healthier than those who do not.
For this purpose, it is recommended to consume at least 1/3 cup of olive oil per day. This way, cellular stress will be reduced and the natural aging process will be slowed down.
Benefit #8: Reduces Type 2 Diabetes Risk
More and more people all over the world are suffering from diabetes, both males and females, and there is no age limit. What is also frightening is the fact that more young people are suffering from diabetes every day. If you want to reduce the risk of diabetes, especially the risk of type 2 diabetes, one of the most important things is living a healthy life and of course eating healthy. What is healthier then including olive oil, and if possible extra virgin olive oil, in your diet.
Make sure to cook and prepare all your dishes just with olive oil. You will start noticing its benefits soon after. When it comes to preventing diabetes, certain studies have suggested that olive oil lowers the blood sugar levels, as well as insulin resistance.
Benefit #9: Helps Fight Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by brittle and fragile bones due to a decrease in the bone mass with time. This increases the risk of bone fractures due to minor trauma or no trauma at all. Even the slightest injuries can be potentially fatal for those affected.
Olive oil has been found to be very helpful for those diagnosed with osteoporosis. It positively affects the bone thickness and it is especially recommended for women after the menopause when fighting postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, if you want to have healthy bones, you should include olive oil in your diet as soon as possible. Select the very best extra virgin olive oil for the greatest health benefits.
Benefit #10: Helps Lose Weight
Olive oil is the main component of the Mediterranean diet. You have probably heard that the Mediterranean diet is the healthiest one if you are trying to lose weight or if you are trying to maintain a balanced body weight and eat healthy at the same time.
Extra virgin olive oil will make you feel fuller after eating, leading you to eat less. The less you eat, the faster you will lose those extra pounds. Olive oil is known to reduce sugar cravings too, by stimulating brain and neuron signals. Olive oil will also help you lose weight quickly and naturally because it promotes digestive health.
