All the Health Benefits of Olive Oil That You Need to Know
Olive oil has been around for centuries. It is a major ingredient in the diets of people belonging to southern Europe. Quite unexpectedly, these are the people who have proven themselves to be the healthiest in the world, averaging a life span longer than people of other regions. It makes one wonder, what are extra virgin olive oil benefits that set it apart from other oils?
How can you use olive oil for cooking and become healthier with every passing day?
In this low-fat diet culture, many people seem reluctant to add sources of healthy fats into their meals. Little do they know that it is one of the biggest mistakes they make to optimize their health.
A good diet needs to have balanced quantities of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Simply eliminating one of them in favor of others will never let you achieve the optimum health you’re aiming for. On the contrary, you’ll only fall prey to a host of diseases and ailments.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Benefits
Enhanced cardiovascular health
Aids in weight loss
Optimizes colon and gallbladder health
Reduces the risk of cancer
Prevents Alzheimer’s disease
Maintains liver health
1. Enhanced Cardiovascular Health
Man running on treadmill, Credits: Pixabay
People who consume olive oil in their meals are less prone to developing cardiovascular ailments. Time and again, studies have concluded the importance of including healthy sources of fat like olive oil to prevent yourself from a host of heart diseases.
Extra virgin olive oil contains abundant polyphenols that are a kind of antioxidant. They protect you from heart, brain, and cancer, thus helping you lead a healthy life.
2. Aids in Weight Loss
Woman who has effectively lost weight, Credits: Pixabay
You might wonder, why should you use olive oil for cooking if you want to lose weight? It is because the fat in it will help you to stay satiated for long periods of time. You will not crave anymore food after eating your meals. It will also provide you with good energy to help you power through the most intense workouts.
Moreover, there are many kinds of fat soluble nutrients that are not absorbed by your body in the absence of a healthy source of fat like olive oil.
3. Optimizes Colon and Gallbladder Health
Diagram showing fallbladder, Credits: Pixabay
There are many benefits of drinking olive oil in the morning. It boosts the production of bile and pancreatic juices in the stomach and consequently, lowers the risk of the development of gallstones.
Filled with antioxidants that fight free radical damage, it decreases the risk of colon cancer. Adding olive oil to your meals will prevent you from developing any intestinal and gallbladder issues.
4. Reduces the Risk of Cancer
Women showing the breast cancer sign, Credits: Pixabay
Many women are prone to breast cancer. Recent studies have discovered a link between various substances in olive oil that help in preventing cancer. Many medical tests have also been conducted that have concluded that the antioxidants found in olive oil may help ward off inflammation and oxidative damage in the body.
5. Prevents Alzheimer’s Disease
Women taking alzheimer’s test, Credits: Pixabay
Olive oil protects the blood vessels in the brain. It can significantly prevent the elderly from developing Alzheimer’s disease. Oleocanthal dense extra virgin olive oil can dramatically slow down Alzheimer’s disease from spreading.
It also protects memory and boosts learning abilities in individuals; hence, it would be an excellent idea to include it every day in your diet.
6. Maintains Liver Health
Women with healthy liver, Credits: Pixabay
The phenolic compounds present in extra virgin olive oil not only prevents liver damage, but also prevents insulin resistance that can damage the liver. The oil is a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids which is linked to good liver health.
Fatty liver disease, which is very common among people can be easily prevented by consuming the recommended quantity of olive oil.
Conclusion
2 tablespoon of olive oil, i.e, 28 grams is the recommended dosage that can be safely consumed by everyone. There are no studies on the side-effects of olive oil as yet, but that does not mean you can consume it without any limit. Excess of everything is bad, and the same goes for olive oil. Now that you know all about olive oil benefits and side-effects, it’s time to make it a consistent part of your diet.