10 Surprising Health Benefits Of Olive Oil

ByAgkidzone Staff

Updated: Oct 28, 2024

Advertisement

Olive oil isn't just a staple in Mediterranean cuisine; it's also gaining an honorable reputation in the United States. Extracted from olives—which are composed of 18 to 28 percent oil—this golden liquid is rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), making up about 75 percent of its content. Producers mainly in Mediterranean countries like Italy, Spain, and Greece press fresh olives to produce this beneficial oil.

In fact, 98 percent of the world's olive oil comes from just 17 countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. High-quality olive oil offers numerous health benefits, packed with essential vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. It's gentle on your digestive system, helps prevent gallstones, soothes ulcers, and may even delay or eliminate the onset of diabetes while promoting weight loss. If olive oil isn't yet a regular part of your diet, it's high time you make that change.

Helps Fight Diabetes

Including extra virgin olive oil as part of a balanced diet may help prevent or delay diabetes. While many advertisements try to convince us that low-fat diets are the best approach, it's important not to overlook the healthy fats essential for overall wellness.

Some of the fats in olive oil can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by nearly half. Additionally, an anti-inflammatory agent in olive oil combats the specific inflammation underlying diabetes. For a delicious way to incorporate it, coat your roasted veggies in olive oil, sprinkle them with sea salt and thyme, and enjoy the mouthwatering taste when they come out of the oven.

Advertisement

Improves Brain Function

Olive oil is fantastic "brain food," protecting the brain from free radical damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules with unpaired electrons that become dangerous when they bond with other molecules or atoms in the body. Medical professionals consider free radicals a threat to good health, associating them with cancer, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, and other conditions. Moreover, scientists link free radicals to aging, viewing the process as a gradual accumulation of free-radical damage.

Olive oil is effective against these harmful molecules and is high in essential brain vitamins, including E and K. These vitamins help slow memory loss and reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia. To keep your brain sharp as you age, consider adding olive oil to your meals. It's delicious with fresh greens—drizzle some over spinach and arugula salad, toss in a few tomatoes and feta cheese, and you've got a tasty lunch.

Advertisement

Promotes Weight Loss

A diet rich in extra virgin olive oil may lead to longer-lasting weight loss results compared to a low-fat diet. Contrary to popular belief, low-fat diets aren't always the most effective. Olive oil can actually help you lose weight by controlling hunger pangs and keeping you full for longer periods. It also reduces sugar cravings. Instead of reaching for that afternoon coffee and cookie, try making hummus by blending chickpeas, olive oil, tahini paste, garlic, and lemon juice. Dip some carrot and celery sticks for a satisfying snack that won't spike your blood sugar.

Advertisement

Helps Relieve Pain

Extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, a substance with anti-inflammatory properties. This compound acts similarly to pain medication by suppressing parts of the system that produce pain. Research suggests that inflammation causes many chronic diseases, so olive oil's properties become even more compelling as a remedy. While it won't cure a headache instantly, regular consumption may offer long-term benefits like helping to ward off Alzheimer's disease.

Advertisement

Can Help with Anxiety and Depression

Some individuals have lower levels of serotonin, the "feel-good" brain chemical linked with mood swings, depression, and anxiety. Research suggests that olive oil may boost serotonin levels. In one study, Spanish researchers found that participants following a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil, vegetables, beans, and fruit had a 30 percent lower chance of depression. These findings hint that heart disease and depression may share common dietary responses. Instead of slathering butter on your corn on the cob, drizzle it with olive oil for a healthier alternative.

Advertisement

Strengthens Your Immune System

Olive oil is essential for strengthening and protecting your immune system. Thanks to a wide range of important antioxidants, it helps fight infections. The immune system defends the body against foreign substances like toxins, microorganisms, parasites, and tumor processes. Recent research shows that the fatty acids in olive oil assist in lowering immune system overreactions, such as increased white blood cells caused by specific B- and T-cells. These fatty acids play a crucial role in optimal body function and can help treat some autoimmune diseases by regulating your body's response system.

Advertisement

Helps Prevent Stroke

Studies suggest that olive oil may reduce the risk of stroke. A diet incorporating regular olive oil use can help dissolve blood clots. International researchers from France reported that older people who regularly used olive oil for cooking, salad dressing, or with bread had a 41 percent lower risk of stroke compared to those who never consumed it. If you're a pasta lover, consider tossing your penne with olive oil and a dash of fresh lemon juice for a rich, tangy flavor that also offers health benefits.

Advertisement

Helps Fight Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mass, making bones fragile and increasing the risk of fractures. Olive oil supplementation has been found to have a positive effect on bone thickness. While it's essential to include sources of calcium in your diet, olive oil helps your body absorb calcium more effectively. In the Mediterranean, where the standard diet is rich in olive oil, there are fewer cases of this disease. Try replacing butter or margarine in your baked goods with olive oil to add softness and freshness.

Advertisement

Prevents Skin Cancer

Recent studies have found that olive oil and other ingredients in the Mediterranean diet can prevent malignant tumors. You can slow down the most dangerous type of skin cancer by consuming olive oil, which is rich in antioxidants that protect skin cells from oxidative damage. While using sunscreen remains the best way to prevent sunburn and protect the skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, consuming olive oil daily helps counter the effects of the sun. Next time you're grilling, drizzle olive oil over your fish and meat for added flavor and health benefits.

Advertisement

A Great Beauty Tool

Olive oil offers a range of benefits as a DIY beauty tool. You can use it to make a pre-shampoo hair treatment for silky locks, combine it with sugar for a face and body scrub, or use it as a makeup remover. If your hair is dull and brittle, use it as a shine serum to tame stray hairs. It can also condition dry and damaged cuticles and nails or serve as a serum for dry lips. For extra dry skin, especially on elbows and heels, olive oil provides additional hydration. Anti-aging extra virgin olive oil helps with osteoporosis and skin damage by adding a protective coating to the skin. By using olive oil both inside and out, you can reap extra rewards from this healthy oil.

Advertisement

You May Also Like