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live oil has been termed liquid gold for its deep green hue and its health superpowers. This ancient oil, a pillar of the Mediterranean diet, has been used for thousands of years not only for its flavor but also for its versatility and medicinal properties. From cancer prevention to better digestion, weight loss, and everything in between, olive oil deserves its celebrity status. Why should we all be drizzling this green nectar over our foods? Let’s break down the science-backed benefits that make olive oil a nutritional essential.
Check out the surprising benefits of olive oil…
- Heart heroics: When it comes to heart health, olive oil is a cardiac hero. Thanks to its generous supply of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid, olive oil can raise levels of our healthy HDL cholesterol while lowering the less friendly LDL cholesterol. This dynamic duo helps prevent atherosclerosis and keeps arteries smooth and clear.
- Anti-inflammation: Olive oil also packs a punch of antioxidants and polyphenols that quench inflammation, further protecting and strengthening the heart. Pretty impressive for a tasty fat. Multiple studies confirm that swapping out butter and margarine for olive oil leads to lower rates of heart disease, high blood pressure, and strokes.
- Cognitive superfood: That same anti-inflammatory action may explain why Mediterranean diets rich in olive oil seem to bolster brain health. Studies show that oleocanthal, the natural anti-inflammatory compound in olive oil, specifically helps ward off Alzheimer’s disease. Olive oil also increases blood flow and the production of new neurons in the hippocampus, the memory center of the brain. In fact, seniors with high olive oil consumption test higher for attention, verbal fluency, memory, and visual construction skills compared to those using less olive oil. A true brain food in every sense!
- Disease fighter: Another benefit of olive oil is that it serves up a huge helping of antioxidants like vitamins E and K. These compounds fight free radical damage that can lead to chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions. Research shows swapping out just 5% of saturated fats for olive oil significantly minimizes the risk of diverse cancers, including breast, digestive tract, skin, and prostate. No wonder populations eating traditional Mediterranean diets have some of the highest cancer-free lifespans on the planet.
- A longevity elixir: The Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Ikaria have some of the highest concentrations of healthy elder centenarians on the planet. What’s their secret? Lashings of olive oil. Besides slashing mortality rates from heart disease and stroke by up to 50%, olive oil has proven anti-aging effects at the cellular level. It not only protects existing collagen from age-related breakdown but stimulates collagen production for younger-looking skin.
Powerful plant compounds found exclusively in olive oil called polyphenols have been shown to delay and combat cell oxidation and deterioration over time. This free radical damage is considered one of the key drivers of aging on a cellular level. With its antioxidant army protecting cells from such harm, it’s no wonder olive oil helps people live longer, healthier lives well into their golden years. This is one of the exciting benefits of olive oil that makes you want to unabashedly indulge.
- It tackles ulcers: About 10-15% of people deal with painful stomach ulcers at some point, causing burning abdominal pain and nausea. Helicobacter pylori bacteria and long-term use of painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen are common triggers behind most ulcers. Lucky for us, olive oil contains unique gastroprotective compounds that combat such ulcers in multiple ways. It not only eradicates troublesome H.pylori bacteria in the gut but also prevents the stomach lining from producing too much gastric acid while stimulating rapid tissue healing through its anti-inflammatory properties.
Several studies confirmed daily olive oil use significantly reduces ulcer size, pain, and chances of recurrence. Whether aiming to prevent or treat ulcers, olive oil is undoubtedly an abdominal ally.
- Fertility booster: Here’s some great news for aspiring parents: olive oil boosts reproductive health in men and women trying to conceive. It’s recommended by fertility experts as a fundamental food to enhance fertility. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil protects sperm cells from free radical damage and improves sperm health, vitality, concentration, and motility, leading to higher fertility rates.
Is olive oil for weight loss real?
Don’t let that monounsaturated fat content scare you. Olive oil can help trim the waistline! Several large studies found that a diet rich in olive oil resulted in significant weight loss and drops in BMI compared to low-fat diets.
How does olive oil boost weight loss? For starters, it helps flip the switch in our cells from fat storage to fat-burning modes through the activation of genes like PPAR-α. Olive oil also boosts satiety and curbs appetite thanks to its monounsaturated fats and ability to balance blood sugar.
Featured image: ValentynVolkov/iStock
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