In today’s market, olive oil is the most hyped about oils and it is true that this oil is versatile because it can be used in many different ways, ranging from polishing furniture to shaving but it is also very useful for health also if we include it in our food.
Benefits and uses of olive oil
1. It is known for reducing the risk of diabetes
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, the healthy polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats found in olive oil can reduce the risk of diabetes by 50%. But low-fat diets are recommended to fight diabetes and according to the results the type of fat matters instead of the amount of fat taken in the diet.
Chronic inflammation is the root cause of diabetes and by consuming more olive oil which is an exceptional anti-inflammatory agent can help a lot. There are substances like oleic acid and oleocanthal found in olive oil which helps in reducing the expressed genes and proteins that mediate inflammation.
2. Have olive oil and it will save you from stroke
A study was conducted in University of Bordeaux which collected the data from three groups of people who participated in the study and they aged above 65 and the results were surprising that those who used olive oil for cooking and salad dressing were more than 41% lower risk of suffering from strokes. The researchers believe that olive oils effective in dissolving the unwanted blood clots in vessels which is a major feature which causes strokes.
3. Keeps your heart young
When we age our heart also ages and its functions along with arteries degenerate so it is inevitable that we may suffer from some sort of heart diseases when grew older but on the same hand we can reduce this and start using olive oil because according to a study done published in British Journal it was found that olive oil helps lower blood pressure and protects the heart from damage of bad cholesterol.
4. It makes bones stronger
Again a study was done by Madrid University which found that if we consume Mediterranean diets which are rich in olive oil had stronger bones because people who follow this diet have more osteocalcin in the blood which is a very important protein that contributes in healthy bone formation. The olive oil is also a good source of calcium which is vital for bones and their strength.
5. Remedy for depression
Depression is usually linked with mental health and not with physical health but it is not true because according to a Spanish study it was found that it depends on our consumption of fat largely determines the possibility of mental suffering or illness. And the researchers suggested that people who want to protect them from depression can use olive oil as it can trigger a higher level of serotonin, a chemical found in the brain and acts as an anti-depressant.
6. Helps in skin cancer prevention
We all know that using sunscreen creams and lotions are the best way of saving you from the ultraviolet rays of the sun but according to a study it was found that intake of olive oil reduces the risk of malignant melanoma which is a deadly form of skin cancer.
In this study, it was also found that in Mediterranean countries fewer people suffer from skin cancer as compared to Australians. Again the credit goes to the use of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet.
Olive oil contains substances like Vitamin E and oleic acid which are highly resistant to the oxidation caused by sunlight exposure.
7. Saves you from Breast cancer
If taken on a regular basis in the diet it can help in reducing the incidence of breast cancer. It was found that oleuropein in olive oil has the anti-breast cancer properties. Olive oil also suppresses the growth of tumors in general because of its anti-oxidant nature.
8. Gives more energy to your brain power
If taken in diet regularly it boosts your brain power and it has been proved by a study done by a Columbia University which compared two groups of people. One group of people used olive oil in their diet and the other group did not. Amazingly it was found that the people who followed the Mediterranean diet and consumed olive oil have grayer and white matters in their brains.
9. Olive oil makes you more attractive
Olive oil contains many compounds which keep you healthy. It has magnesium, Zinc, Vitamin B which is known to boost hair growth and Vitamin E which is also known to reduce hair loss. Your skin also glows with regular use of olive oil.
