Top 6 health benefits of olive oil

·

By Victoria Loutas.

Olive oil is a fundamental component in any Mediterranean diet. A salad dressing, a dip for bread of a marinate, you name it and us Greeks will put olive oil on it! What you may not know is that Greeks’ favourite oil has many health benefits! Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, is considered one of the world’s most healthiest fats. 

1. Rich in Healthy Monounsaturated Fats

Olive Oil is made from the fruit of olive trees and is considered to be the best kind of oil available. Only 14% of the oil extracted from olives is saturated fat, whereas 11% is polyunsaturated, which include omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. The remaining fatty acid in olive oil is monounsaturated fat called oleic, which is said to reduce inflammation and also improve genes linked to cancer.

2. Contains large amounts of antioxidants

Olive oil has a highly nutritious makeup, as it includes high amounts of vitamins E and K. It is also full of rich antioxidants, which are all biologically active and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. 

3. Strong anti-inflammatory properties

Chronic inflammation is believed to be among the leading drivers of many diseases, including heart disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and arthritis. The high level of antioxidants and oleic fats within olive oil contribute to its strong anti-inflammatory properties.

4. Olive oil can prevent strokes

There has been considerable research undertaken to explore the relationship between olive oil and strokes. Several studies have revealed that people who consume olive oil have a much lower risk of stroke, the second biggest killer in developed countries.

5. Protects against heart disease

Multiple scientific studies have found recently that heart disease is less common in Mediterranean diets, in which olive oil is a key ingredient. Within any meal, olive oil works to release its core health benefits which protect against heart disease. This includes lowering inflammation, improving the lining of blood vessels and preventing excessive blood clotting. Research has also found that olive oil reduces the need for blood pressure medication by 48 percent.

6. Antibacterial properties

Olive oil works to kill off harmful bacteria within the body. The many nutrients within olive oil effectively fights Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium that lives in your stomach and can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer. Studies found that olive oil fights off eight strains of this bacterium, eliminating infection in 10-40 percent of people. 

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Alumni excellence celebrated in style at Oakleigh Grammar

Oakleigh Grammar has inducted two more former students into the prestigious Alumni Hall of Fame.

A pilgrimage to heroic Souli: Remembering the legacy of the Souliotes and Souliotises

Nestled in the rugged mountains of Epirus, Souli is more than just a historical site—it is a symbol of resilience and bravery.

The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea: Defining Orthodoxy and preserving Hellenism

The First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea, convened in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine the Great, stands as a pivotal event in Christian history.

From PAK to PASOK: Sakis Gekas to lecture on anti-dictatorship resistance in Toronto

The talk will feature some of the key moments of the anti-dictatorship struggle and its manifestations in the public sphere.

US urges EU to abandon protections for feta and other regional products

The United States is ramping up pressure on the European Union to eliminate its system of geographical indications.

You May Also Like

Epiphany celebrated in Greece after two years of COVID-19 restrictions

Greek Orthodox people celebrated the Epiphany across Greece over the weekend with a number of traditional Blessing of the Waters ceremonies.

Celebrating more than 30 years of Canberra’s only Greek preschool 

Nestled in the heart of Yarralumla, ACT you’ll find St Nicholas Greek Australian Preschool and Childcare Centre.

‘Gradual normalisation’: Greece and Turkey aim to smooth differences, leaders to meet

The leaders of Greece and Turkey will meet next month at a NATO summit, the two countries’ foreign ministers agreed on Monday.