Olive oil has been the staple food of Mediterranean culture for thousands of years. Its history can be traced back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Today, it is still the most popular cooking oil in the region. Nutrition experts believe that the Mediterranean Basin is home to some of the longest-lived people because their typical daily diet is rich in healthy fats from olive oil, nuts, and fatty fish.
What is olive oil?
Olive oil comes from the olive, the fruit of the olive tree. Olives are a traditional crop in the Mediterranean region. People make olive oil by pressing whole olives through a special procedure to follow.
People use olive oil in cooking, cosmetics, medicine, soap, and as a fuel for traditional lamps. Olive oil originally came from the Mediterranean, but today it is popular all over the world.
In the diet, people preserve olives in olive oil or brine. They eat whole or chopped up and add to pizza and other dishes.
They can use olive oil for dipping bread, drizzling on pasta, cooking, or as a salad dressing. Some people consume it spoon by spoon for medicinal purposes. Etc.
Benefits of Olive Oil
Reduce certain types of cancer
Today, Olive oil is not just using for cooking or eating purposes but also it is using for different medical purposes, and medical specialists suggesting it for heart disease as well. After research and our many studies have looked at the health benefits of olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the highest quality oil, rich in antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage caused by molecules called free radicals.
Free radicals are substances produced by the body during metabolism and other processes. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals.
If too many free radicals accumulate, they can cause oxidative stress. This can cause cell damage and may play a role in the development of certain diseases, including certain categories of cancer.
Healthy brain and memory construction
A 2019 study on animals found that olive oil rich in help restore healthy blood-brain barrier function and reduces neuroinflammation in a way that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Depletion pain + swelling
If you suffer from arthritis or other chronic inflammation, olive oil may be a particularly good supplement to your diet. On the one hand, monounsaturated fats have been shown to reduce the level of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation that is elevated in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Some experts/researchers believe that regular intake of foods containing olives may reduce the risk of inflammatory diseases.
Olive oil is very much useful for sports injuries in a traditional way to reduce and fixed the injury within a very little time frame.
Healthy immune system + boost bone Health strength
Researchers speculate that the anti-inflammatory polyphenols of olive oil may trigger mechanisms that help prevent bone breakdown and stimulate bone formation. Whether you want to avoid colds, curb the risk of cancer, or control autoimmune diseases, a healthy immune system is essential. And, it turns out that your immune system likes healthy fats! A 2015 study found that eating 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day is associated with greater growth and activation of T cells (immune cells that attack foreign invaders). On the other hand, eating the same amount of corn oil, butter or soybean oil does not have these benefits. Perhaps thanks to the higher levels of polyphenols and MUFA in EVOO. Some researchers also believe that it may have a beneficial effect in helping fight COVID-19 infection.
It balances blood sugar and helps you lose weight
A 2017 study found that people who consumed the most olive oil had lower fasting blood sugar and reduced their risk of diabetes by 16%. A 2018 research found that overweight women who added more than 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to their breakfast lost more body fat and had a greater drop in blood pressure than women who added soybean oil to their breakfast. Early studies have shown that in the context of the Mediterranean diet, eating large amounts of olive oil will not lead to weight gain.
Olive oil is nutritious and no other edible oil can compare in terms of flavor, versatility, and health benefits from head to toe. So go ahead and drizzle (or stick) this liquid gold on your meals and recipes. Natural Olive oil has many more health benefits.