Health Benefits Of Olive Oil

Olive oil is the fat that we get from the fruit of olive tree. The olives of this tree are pressed to obtain olive oil. The oil has got several uses like it is used in cosmetics, medicines, cooking, soaps and sometimes as a fuel in traditional lamps. There have been several studies that explain the health benefits of olive oil over 50 years. Here are some of those benefits that we get from olive oil: 

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1. Helps in cardiovascular diseases 

Consumption of olive oil is associated with lower rate of death from cardiovascular diseases due to the dietary fiber found in it. In a study which was published in the journal called Pharmacological Research, it was found that those who consume olive oil are less likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, stroke, and hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol). Olive oil also helps in reducing inflammation and carbohydrate metabolism. 

2. Lowers the risk of heart disease 

As per the researchers at the Autonomous University of Madrid in Spain, those who regularly eat foods that are fried in olive oil have lower risk of heart disease or premature death. "In a Mediterranean country where olive and sunflower oils are the most commonly used fats for frying, and where large amounts of fried foods are consumed both at and away from home, no association was observed between fried food consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease or death.", concluded researchers. 

3. Prevents stroke 

Dr. Cécilia Samieri, from the University of Bordeaux and the National Institute of Health and Medical Research (INSERM) in Bordeaux, France, and colleagues explained in the journal Neurology that olive oil helps in preventing strokes in older people. It was also found that regular consumption of olive oil for cooking, salad dressing and with bread had 41% lower risk of stroke as compared to those who never had. 

4. Lowers depression 

Olive oil is also beneficial in reducing the depression. Foods with trans fats should be avoided like pastries. These foods are linked with higher risk of depression. The more you eat trans food, the higher the risk of depression you face. 

5. Reduces risk of break cancer 

Virgin olive oil protects the body against breast cancer, backed by the team of scientists at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona in Spain. The team also found that corn oil (which is rich in n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids) increased the aggressiveness of tumors while virgin olive oil had the opposite effect. 

6. Maintains healthy cholesterol levels 

As per a Japanese study, olive oil helps in maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. It was observed that LDL-cholesterol mean concentrations were reduced in 28 patients who were given olive oil supplements once a day regular for 6 weeks in a row. LDL is called bad cholesterol while HDL is called good cholesterol. 

7. Virgin oil protects liver 

A study was conducted by the University of Monastir, Tunisia, and King Saud University, Saudi Arabia to explain that extra virgin olive oil helps in protecting liver from oxidative stress. As per a researcher, Hammami, "Olive oil is an integral ingredient in the Mediterranean diet. There is growing evidence that it may have great health benefits including the reduction in coronary heart disease risk, the prevention of some cancers and the modification of immune and inflammatory responses. Here, we've shown that extra virgin olive oil and its extracts protect against oxidative damage of hepatic tissue". 
[Source: medicalnewstoday.com]