Contains Antioxidants
Antioxidants can be found in large amounts in olive oil. Other than the healthy fatty acids, olive oils are also rich in Vitamin E and K. They also contain powerful antioxidants that are biologically active. Olive oils contain more than 30 different phenolic compounds which are powerful antioxidants that will help in fighting the free radicals found in the body. Free radicals if left unchecked could lead to cell damage. According to experts, the fat composition of olive oils also contribute to its healthiness.
Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the main cause of premature death in the United States. It mostly affects senior citizens and it has become a serious issue that needs to be addressed. The population in the Mediterranean region has the lowest rates of heart disease. It is not a coincidence since they’re known to consume virgin oil in large quantities. It should be noted that extra virgin oil contains more active compounds which help with heart health.Can Help With Stroke
After heart disease, stroke is the second largest killer. This should be a worrying concern as two diseases are responsible for the majority of deaths in the U.S. Stroke is closely associated with heart disease and the majority of the risk factors are the same. There is a study that found out that those people who used olive oil on a regular basis had a 41% lower risk of getting a stroke. The study makes sense given the fact that those people who use oil will be using them as an alternative to other fatty acids which are not good for the heart.
Best Cooking Oil
If you’re yet to make the shift, you should be replacing your cooking oil with olive oil. Normal oils might not react well to high temperatures compared to olive oil. The primary fat in olive oil is known to have numerous health benefits. For a variety of flavors for your cooking oil, you can always opt for Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Cooking with olive oil will also maintain the natural nutrients in the food. There are numerous studies that show that cooking with virgin oil could increase the nutrients in the food. This due to the fact that there are antioxidants in virgin oil which are resistant to high temperatures. Food if boiled for a long period of time will lose the nutrients.Improve Bone Health
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols which help in reducing bone loss which will come naturally with aging. There have been studies that show that olive oil limits the reabsorption of bones and will also increase bone formation. Even though there is still more research to validate the claims, there is no harm in using olive oil.Can Provide Protection Against Certain Cancers
It is a well-known fact that what we eat could increase the risk of getting cancer. There have been observation studies which have shown lower rates of some cancers in regions where oil consumption is high. The question of “ why” is yet to be answered but researchers suspect it has to do with oleocanthal which is found in extra virgin oil. It is known to be an antioxidant and you will not find it in any other food apart from olive oil.
Good For Brain Health
A diet that includes olive oil will be good for the health of your brain. There have also been studies that have shown that olive oil can help reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease and dementia that comes with old age.To sum it up, olive oils will contribute to a better life and longevity. Switching to olive oil should be a no brainer if you’re looking to improve your health. As a farmer, there will always be a demand for the crop as more people are becoming aware of its amazing benefits. You can even grow it for your own benefit. You just have to make sure that you have the best olive harvesting tools as harvesting can get challenging if you’re not adequately prepared.