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

Konstantinos Argiros meets NSW Premier after sold-out Opera House performances

At NSW Parliament on Friday, Premier Chris Minns and Ministers Courtney Houssos and Sophie Cotsis welcomed Konstantinos Argiros.

‘Love, care and respect’: Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos share the key to 70 years of marriage

From Patras to Bexley, Chris and Nikolitsa Bakopoulos’ 70-year love story is a timeless testament to faith, resilience, and devotion.

Accused Easey St killer Perry Kouroumblis previously gave police an alibi, court hears

Accused Easey Street killer Perry Kouroumblis has told police he was with a friend on the night two women were brutally stabbed in 1977.

How Greece’s new law changes inheritance and property processes for Greeks abroad

Athens lawyer Panagiotis Rozakis says Greece’s new digital reforms will simplify and speed up inheritance and property matters for diaspora.

Snowtown killer James Vlassakis’ parole review to be heard in private

The parole review of Snowtown murderer James Spyridon Vlassakis will be conducted in private. Read more here.

You May Also Like

TGH Exclusive: Prepare to be amazed when ‘My Greek Odyssey’ returns for a third series

The third series of My Greek Odyssey is set to hit our screens and it’s definitely not going to disappoint with its picturesque scenes of the Greek islands.

Professor Anastasios Tamis: We can live with the Turks

In my previous article, we referred to historical moments that showed how Greco-Turkish relations sometimes brought the peoples together.

Michalis Protopsaltis awarded for saving 80 refugees in the Kythera shipwreck

Michalis Protopsaltis, was honored in Athens for his invaluable efforts in saving the lives of the 80 refugees during the Kythera shipwreck