Dietary fat has various negative health implications that remain debatable.
Experts agree that olive oil — particularly extra virgin — can provide numerous health benefits.
Here are 11 medical benefits of olive oil that have been verified through thorough investigation.
- Olive Oil Is Rich In Healthy Monounsaturated Fats
- Olive oil is produced by pressing olives from an olive tree.
- 14% of oil contains saturated fats while 11% are polyunsaturates such as omega-6 and omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids.
- Olive oil’s primary unsaturated fat component is monounsaturates such as oleic corrosive, which account for 73% of its overall oil content.
- Studies indicate that oleic corrosive may reduce irritation, potentially even altering qualities associated with disease.
- Monounsaturated fats such as additional virgin olive oil are highly resistant to extreme temperatures, making it an excellent choice for cooking applications.
- Olive Oil Contains Large Amounts Of Antioxidants
- Additional virgin olive oil can provide important nutritional benefits.
- Not only does it contain essential unsaturated fats, but also unobtrusively provides vitamin E and K nutrients.
- Olive oil contains incredible cancer-preventive agents.
- Cell reinforcements that contain organic ingredients may reduce your risk of chronic illnesses.
- They also help reduce inflammation and protect cholesterol from oxidation – two benefits which could reduce your risk of cardiovascular illness.
- Olive Oil Has Strong Anti-Inflammatory Properties
- Ongoing inflammation has long been suspected as the root cause of diseases such as malignant growth, coronary illness, metabolic condition (e.g. type 2 diabetes), Alzheimer’s, joint inflammation and even stoutness.
- Extra-virgin olive oil has the power to alleviate discomfort, which could be one of its primary medical applications.
- Cancer prevention agents provide key mitigating impacts. Oleocanthal is one such agent which has shown similar effectiveness as the mitigating drugs such as Ibuprofen.
- Studies estimate that the oleocanthal found in 3.4 tablespoons (50 milliliters) of extra virgin olive oil provides similar therapeutic value as 10% of adult dosage of ibuprofen.
- Studies suggest that oleic corrosive, an extremely unsaturated fat present in olive oil, may help lower levels of pro-inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP).
- One study demonstrated that olive oil cancer-preventative agents could suppress certain qualities and proteins that drive inflammation.
- Olive Oil May Help Prevent Strokes
- Strokes occur due to an increase in blood flow to your brain due to either coagulation or death.
- Stroke is the second leading cause of death among developed nations, second only to coronary illness (13).
- Olive oil has long been linked with stroke risk.
- An analysis of studies with over 841,000 individuals concluded that olive oil is the primary source of monounsaturated fat linked to reduced risks of stroke and coronary illness.
- According to an independent investigation involving 140,000 participants, those who consumed olive oil had significantly reduced stroke risks than individuals who didn’t consume olive oil.
- Olive Oil Is Protective Against Heart Disease
- Coronary illness is the leading cause of mortality globally (16).
- Years-long investigations revealed that coronary illness is more common in Mediterranean nations.
- This led to extensive studies of the Mediterranean Diet, which has since been shown to drastically lower coronary illness risk.
- Olive oil is one of the cornerstones of this diet plan, protecting against coronary illness in numerous ways (19).
- Reducing inflammation, protecting bad LDL cholesterol from oxidation and protecting veins are among the many advantages. Furthermore, regular massage can also prevent inordinate blood coagulating.
- Olive oil has also been demonstrated to effectively lower circulatory strain, one of the primary risk factors associated with coronary illness and unexpected death. One review showed that olive oil reduced use of circulatory strain medication by 48%!
- Numerous studies demonstrate the amazing health benefits associated with extra virgin olive oil for your heart.
- If you have coronary disease or another significant risk factor such as family history of coronary illness, including other risk factors such as extra virgin olive oil consumption. It would be prudent to add this food source as part of a balanced diet plan.
- Olive Oil Is Not Associated With Weight Gain And Obesity
- Excessive consumption of fat causes weight gain.
- However, numerous studies have linked a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil with beneficial outcomes for bodyweight management.
- An extensive 30-month study among over 7,000 Spanish understudies concluded that consumption of large quantities of olive oil was not related to weight gain.
- One three-year study involving 187 participants showed that eating diets rich in olive oil was linked with higher levels of cell reinforcements in their blood, as well as weight reduction.
- Olive Oil May Fight Alzheimer’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s is the most well-known form of neurodegeneration.
- One of the key characteristics of Alzheimer’s is the formation of purported beta-amyloid plaques within synapses.
- One study on mice demonstrated how an ingredient found in olive oil can assist with eliminating plaque deposits on teeth.
- One human study demonstrated how consuming a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil aids cognitive performance.
- Note that more research needs to be conducted into the relationship between olive oil and Alzheimer’s.
- Olive Oil May Reduce Type 2 Diabetes Risk
- Olive oil appears to offer significant protection from type 2 diabetes.
- Studies have linked olive oil with positive impacts on glucose and insulin responsiveness.
- Recent evidence from a randomized clinical trial with 418 healthy participants confirmed the protective benefits of olive oil.
- In this study, researchers demonstrated that following a Mediterranean-style diet high in olive oil significantly lowered the risk of type 2 diabetes by over 40%.
- The Antioxidants In Olive Oil Have Anti-Cancer Properties
- Cancer is one of the primary causes of mortality on Earth.
- Scientists agree that Mediterranean populations tend to have lower risks of certain cancers, and olive oil could be one factor.
- Olive oil’s antioxidants may help mitigate damage caused by free radicals, which is considered one of the key drivers behind malignant tumor development.
- Reviews conducted through test tubes demonstrate how olive oil blends can effectively eliminate disease cells in our bodies.
- Further investigations should show if olive oil does in fact reduce your risk of cancer.
- Olive Oil Can Help Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Rheumatoid joint pain is an immune system illness characterized by disfigured and agonizing joints.
- While its exact cause remains unidentified, one possible theory suggests it involves your immune system attacking normal cells unwittingly.
- Olive oil supplements appear to reduce provocative markers and oxidative pressure in those suffering from rheumatoid joint inflammation.
- Olive oil appears particularly helpful when combined with fish oil, which provides soothing omega-3 unsaturated fats.
- Olive and fish oils were shown to effectively improve handgrip strength, joint pain, morning firmness and morning stiffness among individuals with rheumatoid joint inflammation.
- Olive Oil Has Antibacterial Properties
- Olive oil contains numerous supplements that can protect against and eradicate harmful microorganisms.
- Helicobacter pylori is one such bacterium, living in your stomach and capable of causing ulcers and digestive disorders.
- Test tube reviews have revealed that extra virgin olive oil effectively addresses eight strains of this bacterium – three of which are resistant to antibiotic treatment – through its emollient qualities.
- A recent review in People suggested that taking 30 grams of extra virgin olive oil daily for fourteen days can eliminate Helicobacter pylori disease from 10-40% of individuals within that time.
