There are almost no kitchens in which it is not used almost daily. Soak our pans, dress our salads and some even eat it with bread. But, what are the benefits olive oil consumption?
Knowing the benefits of the foods that are part of your diet is key to putting into practice a more conscious and healthy diet. If on other occasions we review the advantages of disparate products such as rice, avocados, nuts, coffee or turmeric, today the trick is for one of the great acquaintances in our country: olive oil, a basic ingredient for many culinary preparations and which shows a wide variety of medicinal qualities.
First of all, we are talking about a vegetable oil for mainly culinary use that is extracted from the fruit of the olive tree or olives. Indissolubly linked to the Mediterranean area, only 3% of world production is carried out outside it. There are several types such as pure, virgin or extra virgin, which has the highest level of antioxidant polyphenols and oleic acid and is profiled as the healthiest.
Rich in antioxidants, vitamin K and vitamin E, olive oil has a good nutritional profile. It contains monounsaturated fats like oleic acid and palmitoleic acid, while it is free of carbohydrates and cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. A 5-milliliter tablespoon has about 40 calories.
Olive oil health benefits
Reduces cardiovascular problems: Natural olive oil contains 70% monounsaturated fatty acid, especially oleic acid. As a result, it decreases the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood and reduces heart problems.
Lowers blood cholesterol: LDL cholesterol is the type of bad cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart attacks and lung heart disease. Extra virgin olive oil, rich in 40 antioxidant chemicals, helps reduce the oxidative effects of LDL cholesterol, increasing HDL or good cholesterol levels. It also increases arterial vasodilation.
It favors good digestions: Olive oil protects against gastrointestinal diseases and reduces gastric acid secretion. It also contributes to fighting constipation due to its mild laxative effect, and improves intestinal absorption of nutrients.
It is good for the bones: This product contributes to a correct mineralization of the bones, and to their development. Therefore, it is recommended both in the diet of children during growth and in adulthood to limit the loss of calcium characteristic of aging, which can lead to problems such as osteoporosis. It is also good for brain development.
Improves metabolism: Medical experts suggest that it is very difficult to gain weight with the monounsaturated fats present in olive oil. Furthermore, it increases metabolism.
Extends life: It is an excellent source of vitamin E, a phenolic antioxidant that is very beneficial for older people. Therefore, it plays a protective role against cellular oxidative stress.
It has anti-inflammatory properties: Olive oil is rich in phenols that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. As a result, its use helps to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and relieve inflammation.
Reduces cancer risk: Oleic acid is said to protect the human body against cancerous growth, especially bowel cancer, according to medical research done at the University of Oxford. It should also be noted that hydroxytyrosol, a major component of olive oil, could help prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Lowers Hypertension: Recent research suggests that a Mediterranean diet made up of foods high in unsaturated fats (found in olive oil and nuts), nitrites, and nitrates (found in leafy green vegetables) may protect you from the hypertension.
