Olive Oil Health Benefits
The health benefits of olive oil
are extensive with new positive attributes discovered all the time. One
prominent cardiologist recommends at least two tablespoons of extra virgin
olive oil each day to enjoy the many ways olive oil can be beneficial to your
health and well-being.
In addition to bolstering the
immune system and helping to protect against viruses, olive oil has also been
found to be effective in fighting against diseases such as:
Cancer: The phytonutrient in olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the
effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which can decrease the risk of
breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are among the other
olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer.
Heart Disease: Olive oil
helps lower levels of blood cholesterol leading to heart disease.
Oxidative Stress: Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially
vitamin E, long thought to minimize cancer risk. Among plant oils, olive oil is
the highest in monounsaturated fat, which doesn’t oxidize in the body, and it
is low in polyunsaturated fat, the kind that does oxidize.
Blood Pressure: Recent
studies indicate that regular consumption of olive oil can help decrease both
systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Diabetes: It has been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in
olive oil, low in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and soluble
fibre from fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is the most effective approach
for diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving
blood sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity.
Obesity: Although high in calories,
olive oil has shown to help reduce levels of obesity.
Rheumatoid Arthritis: Although
the reasons are still not fully clear, recent studies have proved that people
with diets containing high levels of olive oil are less likely to develop
rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoporosis: A high consumption of olive oil appears to improve
bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and so plays
an important role in aiding sufferers and in preventing the onset of
Osteoporosis.
Olive Oil Might Help
Prevent Strokes
.
According to a new study from
France, older individuals who consume olive oil daily may be able to protect
themselves from a stroke. The study
which is part of the Three-City Study, an on-going multicentre study of
vascular risk factors for dementia, was published in the online issue of
Neurology.
Researchers gathered information
from the medical records of 7,625 individuals over the age of 65 from three
cities in France: Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier. None of the participants had
a history of stroke. They then categorized the individuals into three groups
based on their olive oil consumption. The researchers noted that the
participants used mostly extra virgin olive oil, as that is what is usually
available in France.
After 5 years there were 148
strokes. The results showed that the “intensive” users of olive oil, those that
used for both cooking and dressings had a 41 per cent lower risk of stroke
compared to those that did not use olive oil at all. These results were noted
even after considering weight, diet, physical activity and other risk factors.
Olive Oil Diet Reduces
Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
.
Traditionally a low fat diet has
been prescribed to prevent various diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
While studies have shown that high fat diets may increase the risk of certain
diseases such as cancer and diabetes, it appears that it is the type of fat
that counts rather than the amount of fat. We now know that a diet rich in
monounsaturated fats such as the ones found in olive oil, nuts and seeds
actually protects from many of these chronic diseases.
A recent Spanish study published
in the scientific journal Diabetes Care showed that a Mediterranean style diet
rich in olive oil reduces the risk of type II diabetes by almost 50 per cent
compared to a low fat diet. Type II diabetes is the most common and preventable
form of diabetes.
Olive Oil Keeps the
Heart Young
.
A diet rich in olive oil may be
able to slow down the aging of the heart. It is a known fact that as we grow older
the heart also goes through a normal aging process. The arteries may not
function as well as they did and this can lead to a number of health problems.
However, in a recent study, Spanish researchers discovered that a diet rich in
olive oil or other monounsaturated fats could improve the arterial function of
elderly individuals.
The study, published in the
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, compared the effect of a Mediterranean
style diet rich in olive oil with that of a low fat high carbohydrate diet and
a diet rich in saturated fats and concluded that the diet rich in olive oil
resulted in the reduction of endothelial damage and dysfunction.
Olive Oil Fights
Osteoporosis
.
Osteoporosis is a disease
characterized by a decrease in bone mass, which in turn causes the architecture
of bone tissue to become fragile. This can then increase the possibly of
fractures, making even the slightest of knocks potentially fatal for sufferers.
The disease is recognized as
being particularly prevalent among postmenopausal women for whom a decrease in
the production of oestrogen then weakens bone structures and most commonly
affects the ribs, wrists, and hips. For this study, scientists were
particularly interested in how a supplementation of olive oil could be used to
help women in this category.
Tests were carried out on rats
showing comparable conditions to female human menopause, with one group being
treated orally with olive oil. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were
collected and tested for levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase
(ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrates.
The results found that that rats
not treated with olive oil showed a significant decrease in calcium levels and
a significant increase in plasma ALP, MDA, and nitrates levels.
Olive oil supplementation proved
to be beneficial and was found to both attenuate these changes and to
positively affect the thickness of bones.
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