Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Its Impact on Our Health

Posted by editor 10/10/2018 0 Comment(s)

Recognized as one of the healthiest edible oils in the Mediterranean diet, the extra virgin olive oil has an indispensable nutritional value known for centuries. As a good source of vitamin E, A and K, iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as amino acids, the olive oil is considered vitally important for its therapeutic properties. Thanks to all the vitamins and minerals that it contains, the olive oil is great for eyes, skin, bones and cells health as well as for boosting our immune system. As it does not contain cholesterol, sodium, sugars but is a rich source of monounsaturated fat, the olive oil greatly increases the life expectancy of adults.

 

The average Greek consumes 20 liters a year, compared with just 2 liters per person in Australia, one can understand that there's far more to extra virgin olive oil than the eye meets.

 

Let’s have a look to the most amazing benefits that this nectar of the gods offers to our health:  

 

1. Prevents / delays diabetes

 

Studies show that the antioxidant rich extra virgin olive oil can help decrease the damage caused by oxidative stress associated with high levels of sugar in the blood.

So eating extra virgin olive oil as part of a balanced diet may help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Ravetti says extra virgin helps “regulate and balance our insulin levels, so you’re not really having those spikes.”

 

2. Strengthens our immune system

 

Loaded with antioxidants – vital for strengthening and protecting the immune system – extra virgin olive oil may help us become more resistant to infection. This wide range of important antioxidants isn’t found in other oils.

 

3. Reliefs pain

 

Extra virgin olive oil contains a substance called oleocanthal, which has anti-inflammatory agents, meaning olive oil is like a natural Ibuprofen. Research increasingly suggests inflammation impacts a number of chronic diseases, so olive oil’s anti-inflammatory properties grow more compelling all the time.

 

4. Prevents / slows down the Alzheimer’s disease

 

The polyphenol associated with bitterness and pungency in extra virgin olive oil, oleocanthal, is

linked to protecting the brain from the toxic substances that cause Alzheimer’s disease.

 

5. Prevents skin damage

 

Extra virgin olive oil helps with anti-ageing, osteoporosis and skin damage. One that’s proven is that it adds a protective coating on the skin, both through consumption and application.

 

6. Reduces the risks of cancer

 

Extra virgin olive oil is linked to reducing the risks of some types of cancer. Oleocanthal, the polyphenol present in pungent and bitter extra virgin olive oils, is associated with increasing cell death of cancer cells and reducing inflammation. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid present in olive oil, was shown to suppress the development of a protein produced by the breast cancer gene Her-2/neu. Research also shows that extra virgin olive oil in combination with a healthy lifestyle, may help slow the development of skin cancer.

 

7. Reduces the cholesterol

 

Studies have linked daily extra virgin olive oil consumption with reducing LDL cholesterol (bad) and increasing HDL cholesterol (good) to help create the healthy balance needed between the two.

 

8. Keeps your body running smoothly

 

It’s not just vehicles that benefit from a regular oil change; extra virgin olive oil contributes to the operational health of such vital areas as the stomach, pancreas and intestines.

 

9. Pregnancy aid

 

Not only can olive oil application assist in avoiding stretch marks, consuming extra virgin olive oil while pregnant may improve your child’s psychomotor reflexes and more.

 

10. Longevity

 

Since extra virgin olive oil assists in the prevention and/or reduced impact of so many diseases – including certain cancers – it’s no exaggeration to say it may even help you live longer. Not bad for something that’s also delicious.

 

11. Stroke

 

Research from France showed that individuals with diets rich in olive oil were 41 percent less

likely to suffer a stroke in comparison to those who did not follow olive oil rich diets.

 

12. Blood Pressure

 

Research shows that consuming extra virgin olive oil can help reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

 

13. Osteoporosis

 

A new study shows that consuming a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil may increase bone density, thus reducing the risk of osteoporosis.

 

As there are arguably few products that have as much positive impact on your health as olive oil does, add more olive oil into your diet! At HERI ME HERI you will find a variety of healthy and nutritious olive-oil products of unique taste, carefully processed with a strict quality control!

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