Seven useful properties of olive oil.
Olive oil is attributed many health properties, and there is even an opinion that it is the secret to a great life expectancy of the population of the Mediterranean region.
A rich source of the right fats
Olive oil contains healthy monounsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol and normalize blood clotting. Those who regularly consume it in food, greatly reduced the risk of heart disease and strokes.
A storehouse of antioxidants
In olive oil contains vitamin E and carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants. They help to reduce the amount of free radicals in the body affecting healthy body cells and damage blood vessels and DNA. In addition, the product contains a natural compound oleocanthal, which is able to fight cancer cells.
The ability to normalize blood pressure
In addition to monounsaturated fat, caring for the health of your heart, olive oil is also a lot of essential fatty acids omega-3. It has been proven that omega-3 is also able to normalize blood pressure, and, accordingly, to keep your heart healthy for years to come. These beneficial fatty acids the body cannot produce on our own so we must obtain them from food.
Protects from depression
Olive oil can bring even emotional benefits to people. The universities of Navarra and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria conducted a study in which took part more than 12 000 respondents, and found that a diet with a high content of olive oil and polyunsaturated fats was associated with lower likelihood of developing mental illness.
Prevents osteoporosis
A growing body of evidence that frequent consumption of olive oil helps to increase the amount of calcium in the body, which positively affects bone density and assists in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Reduces the likelihood of Alzheimer’s disease
Initial studies have shown that olive oil prevents age-related cognitive impairment and helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Final evidence of this yet, but we all know that olive oil is part of Mediterranean diet (in which preference is given to vegetables, fruits and fish cooked with olive oil), and the use of this system in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease is not in doubt among scientists.
Reduce inflammation
It was found that olive oil actually mimics the effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, helping in this disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Useful compounds inhibit Pro-inflammatory enzymes that are able to influence chronic and acute inflammation. Scientists studying rheumatoid arthritis, I believe that a dose of 3-4 tablespoons olive oil may be considered equivalent to the ibuprofen.
