The health benefits of consuming extra virgin olive oil are many. It is rich in vitamin E, it contains modest amounts of Vitamins E and K, and plenty of beneficial fatty acids, as well as many other nutrients.
Olive oil is a major component of the Mediterranean diet. Populations from that region have longer life expectancies and lower risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke, compared with North Americans and Northern Europeans.
But olive oil has been around for thousands of years and during all those times, it’s been praised for its healing powers and health benefits.
The Cretes were exporting olive oil as far back as in 2575 B.C. Also, Greek mythology as well as the Bible has a mention of it.
The following is a list of some of the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil:
- It decreases the risk of heart disease,
- It helps to lower bad cholesterol, and maintains the beneficial HDL cholesterol,
- It lowers the effect on blood pressure,
- It helps to prevent stroke,
- Olive oil helps prevent diabetes. It also appears to lower blood sugar or glucose levels in diabetics,
- Olive oil-rich diets may lead to greater and long-lasting weight loss, than a low-fat diet,
- It’s beneficial for the stomach, pancreas, and the intestines,
- It protects against ulcerative colitis,
- It protects the liver from oxidative stress,
- Helps with arthritis,
- It fights osteoporosis,
- It’s beneficial during pregnancy, and whilst breast feeding,
- Olive oil strengthens immune system,
- Olive oil contains a wide variety of valuable antioxidants that help to keep free radicals in check,
- It helps with anti-aging, and skin damage,
- It helps in the natural treatment of eczema and psoriasis,
- It’s good for your sex life,
- Longevity.
Depression risk and olive oil
People whose diets are high in trans fats - fast foods and mass-produced foods like pastries - may have a higher risk of depression, compared with those whose diets are rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats.
According to a study carried out at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain and published in PLoS ONE, olive oil appears to have a slight protective effect regarding depression risk.
Olive Oil For Cancer
Studies have shown, that adding extra virgin olive oil to your daily diet may reduce your risk of breast, colorectal, prostate, and esophageal cancers. As it contains a protective element that assists against certain malignant tumours in these regions.
Ever wondered why the Mediterranean women have such good skin? They’ve been using extra virgin olive oil as a moisturiser for centuries. Try it yourself and see the magic! Use a little to start with and add more if you need, instead of using those alcohol based moisturizers that are filled with all sorts of chemicals.
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