Olive Oil

Listing ID #4111022

Olive oil is the natural oil extracted from olives, the fatty fruit of the olive tree.

About 24% of the oil is saturated fats and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

But the predominant (73%) fatty acid in olive oil is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, which is extremely healthy.

Oleic acid is believed to help reduce inflammation, and may have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer.

Monounsaturated fats in extra virgin olive oil are also quite resistant to high heat, making it a healthy choice for cooking.

Extra virgin olive oil is fairly nutritious.

Apart from its beneficial fatty acids, it contains modest amounts of Vitamins E and K.

But olive oil is also loaded with powerful antioxidants.

These antioxidants are biologically active and may help fight serious diseases.

This includes antioxidants that can fight inflammation and help prevent the cholesterol in our blood from becoming oxidized, both crucial steps in the heart disease process.

Stroke is caused by a disturbance of blood flow to the brain, either due to a blood clot or bleeding.

In developed nations, stroke is the second most common cause of death, right after heart disease.

The relationship between olive oil and the risk of stroke has been studied extensively.

A large review study that included over 841,000 subjects found that olive oil was the only source of monounsaturated fat associated with a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.

These findings are supported by another large review study, this one with 140,000 participants. Researchers found that those who consumed olive oil were at a much lower risk of stroke.

Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world.

Observational studies conducted a few decades ago showed that heart disease was rare around the Mediterranean Sea.

This led to extensive research on the Mediterranean diet, which has now been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease.

Extra virgin olive oil is one of the key features of this diet, and protects against heart disease via numerous mechanisms.

It lowers inflammation, protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation, improves the function of the lining of the blood vessels, and may help prevent unwanted blood clotting.

Interestingly, it has also been shown to lower blood pressure, which is one of the strongest risk factors for heart disease and premature death. In one study, olive oil reduced the need for blood pressure meds by 48%.

The truth is that dozens, if not hundreds, of studies have shown that extra virgin olive oil has powerful benefits for the heart.

If you have heart disease, a family history of heart disease, or any other major risk factor, then you might want to consider including plenty of extra virgin olive oil in your diet.

Eating fat does not make you fat, and olive oil is no exception.

Numerous studies have linked Mediterranean dietary patterns, rich in olive oil, with favorable effects on body weight.

In other words, high intake of olive oil is not linked with weight gain or obesity in observational studies.

Cancer is one of the most common causes of death in the world.

People in Mediterranean countries have a lower risk of some cancers, and many researchers believe that olive oil may have something to do with it.

The antioxidants in olive oil can reduce oxidative damage due to free radicals, which is believed to be one of the leading drivers of cancer.

Many test tube studies have shown that compounds in olive oil can help fight cancer cells.

Whether olive oil can actually help to prevent cancer needs to be studied properly in humans.

Olive Oil Can Help Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by deformed and painful joints.

The exact cause is not well understood, but it involves the body’s immune system attacking normal cells by mistake.

Olive oil supplementation appears to improve inflammatory markers and reduce oxidative stress in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Olive oil appears to be particularly beneficial when combined with fish oil, a source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.

In one study, olive oil and fish oil significantly reduced joint pain, handgrip strength and morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis.