Olive Oil: What are the Health Benefits?

The health benefits of olive oil are extensive with new positive attributes discovered constantly. One prominent cardiologist recommends a minimum of two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil each day to enjoy the numerous ways olive oil can be beneficial to your health and well being.

Throughout the ages, olive oil has been widely used for medicinal as well as culinary purposes. It has been claimed to aid digestion, to obstruct ageing, to prevent liver disorders, to aid bone growth, to strengthen nails, to heal tissues, to lower blood pressure, to treat acne and also to soothe neonatal skin, to name but a few.

Cancer

The phytonutrient in olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the result of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which could decrease the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are some of the other olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer.

Heart Benefits

It appears like a simple change, but switching from saturated fats to monounsaturated fat to prepare your food can establish big benefits. Researchers have shown that the phytochemicals in olive oil can fight cholesterol and prevent heart disease. On this page you'll discover why "thinning" the blood with phytochemicals produces these health benefits.

They work to reduce pain

Olives have a compound called oleocanthal that has been proven to have strong anti-inflammatory properties, mimicking the action of ibuprofen. Olive oil naturally reduces the pain of chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis and can be put into a daily diet to aid in pain reduction.

Osteoporosis

A high consumption of olive oil seems to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and so plays an important role in helping sufferers and in preventing the onset of Osteoporosis.

Inflammation

Inflammation is the immune system's first line of defense against injury and infection. It is a natural process that is designed to heal. But too much of the good thing can be painful and ultimately harmful to the body, even going as far as causing organ damage and diabetes. Fortunately, olive oil has a substance called oleocanthal that controls inflammation

Anti-aging supplement

Olive oil is high in antioxidants, including vitamin E. Antioxidants are nutritional powerhouses that protect against age-accelerating free radicals. Medical studies have indicated that diets don't have any vitamin E accelerate the breakdown of certain fatty acids, a process which invariably results in aging.

Oxidative Stress

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, long considered to minimize cancer risk. Among plant oils, olive oil is the highest in monounsaturated fat, which doesn’t oxidize within the body, and it’s low in polyunsaturated fat, the type that does oxidize.

Cancer Benefits

There was previously a time when medical researchers linked various cancers towards the amount of fat in our diets. Now, many think that the type of fat is more important compared to amount. There is plenty of controversy and much research left to become done on the role olive oil may participate in the fight against cancer. But some people believe it can lower your risk of colon, prostate, and breast cancer, and on this page you'll discover why.

Diabetes

It has been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in olive oil, lower in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and dietary fiber from fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is easily the most effective approach for diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving blood sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity.