Rich Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil has generally been preferred over other cooking oils for several years now. But what are the rich benefits of olive oil, if any, that have earned it this reputation of being better than other alternatives?
Some claim that it’s richer in flavor and incredibly easy to fry, sauté and roast with. However, the real reason extra virgin olive oil has earned such acclaim amongst cooks and dieticians alike is because of its numerous health benefits.
Several studies have suggested that organic olive oil plays a role in protecting us from diseases like cancer, cardiac arrests, strokes and even Alzheimer's.
This guide will jump into greater detail about the proposed benefits of olive oil and whether enough relevant studies exist to back up those claims.
Top 5 Rich Benefits of Olive Oil
Among olive oil’s numerous proposed benefits, we’ve compiled a list of top five. According to our analysis, below are the most likely reasons why olive oil is preferred over other cooking substitutes.
1. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Chronic inflammation is the root cause of several life-threatening diseases. Acute inflammation is natural and refers to when your body reacts to an infection or injury with a short-term inflammatory response.
This response is designed to help heal your injuries. However, in some people’s cases, this temporary inflammation can last for several weeks or even months, which can lead to diseases like heart disease, cancer, type-2 diabetes and arthritis.
According to several studies, extra virgin olive oil has the ability to reduce inflammation, which is why it’s so popular among health experts.
One specific study states that the reason why olive oil is so proficient in reducing inflammation is because it contains antioxidants like Oleocanthal. This antioxidant functions much like Ibuprofen, a drug designed to combat inflammation.
Additionally, it claims that the effects of 50ml of olive oil in a 500ml olive oil bottle are comparable to a 10% adult dosage of Ibuprofen.
Another study suggests that Oleic acid, the fatty acid that makes up about 70% of olive oil, also plays a key role in inhibiting genes and inflammatory markers that drive inflammation.
2. EVOO Contains Tons of Antioxidants
Speaking of antioxidants, you should know that there are plenty in a bottle of extra virgin olive oil. But how are antioxidants beneficial?
Well, as we mentioned earlier, it helps reduce inflammation, which is the root of several life-threatening diseases. However, their most significant role is to reduce the level of oxidation in your blood cholesterol, which can save you from several diseases related to high cholesterol levels.
Heart disease, in particular, can be caused by chronic inflammation and increased oxidation of your blood cholesterol. In short, extra virgin olive oil strengthens your immune system by releasing a number of different antioxidants in your bloodstream.
Fresh, single-sourced, organically produced olive oil works the best in this regard, which is why we suggest opting for Ayvaco Extra Virgin Olive Oil for all your cooking needs.
3. Fresh Olive Oil Contains a High Amount of Monounsaturated Fats
Researchers have long disputed the effects of dietary fats on human health. However, when it comes to olive oil, most of them agree that its high amount of monounsaturated fats (mainly oleic acid) can be incredibly beneficial to human health.
We’ve mentioned already how oleic acid can reduce inflammation and inhibit genes linked to diseases like heart disease and arthritis.
But the reason why olive oil, especially the extra virgin variety, is so highly regarded is because it is made up of 73% oleic acid, which is more than any other cooking oil.
But that’s only the case for olive oil that comes from purely natural sources (extracted directly from the olives of an olive tree). Like the Ayvaco Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is extracted naturally and not mixed with harmful chemicals.
4. Consuming Premium Olive Oil Does Not Lead to Weight Gain or Obesity
Most cooking oils are rich in fats, and consuming a ton of fast usually causes weight gain. However, several studies claim that a diet rich in olive oil can actually have favorable effects on your body weight.
These conclusions were developed after carefully monitoring the diets of Mediterranean people, who regularly use olive oil as a staple in their cooking, over a 3-year period.
In fact, another study spanning three years conducted on 187 individuals noted that a regular use of evoo was linked with an increased amount of antioxidants and healthy weight loss.
These studies suggest that even if olive oil can’t be reliably labeled as a trigger for weight loss, it can still be assumed as a healthy alternative to regular, high-fat cooking oils.
5. Real Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Have Anti-Cancer Properties
Cancer is the most prevalent disease of the 20th century. In fact, the disease has also been deemed as one of the most common causes of death in the world. At the same time, olive oil has been deemed to have anti-cancer properties.
There are a number of studies backing up this claim, but the most significant to date have to be the ones conducted on Mediterranean subjects. These studies conclude that Mediterranean people have a considerably lower risk of some cancers, which could be because of how much olive oil they consume in their diets.
On top of that, the release of free radicals due to oxidative stress is the primary reason for cancer. And since extra virgin olive oil contains a ton of antioxidants, it can be deemed the perfect solution for reducing oxidative damage.
Make Sure you Purchase the Right Type
Several manufacturers of olive oil have no doubt learned the benefits of the extra virgin variety of the oil.
However, instead of manufacturing pure, organic extra virgin olive oil, some conventional manufacturers have started diluting their olive oil with other refined oils. This dilution affects the quality of oil and nullifies its benefits.
Therefore, it’s incredibly important that the next time you go olive oil shopping or see an advert displaying any kind of olive oil for sale, you thoroughly inspect its label to verify if it shows the harvest date, the source and the variety. Add a beautiful Ayvaco gift box to your order for that special touch.
Final Thoughts on Olive Oil Health Benefits
That brings us to the end of our guide on the rich benefits of olive oil. To sum it all up, olive oil is generally considered the healthiest cooking oil due to how many antioxidants it contains and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Plus, it is one of the only cooking oils that contain more than 70% oleic acid, a fatty acid that can contribute to weight loss and reduce the risk of diseases like cancer and heart disease.
Also, remember to always buy extra virgin olive oil for cooking from reputable sources and transparent companies. Here are tips to cooking with olive oil.
Are you already convinced to buy extra virgin olive oil from a reliable online store? If so, consider opting for Ayvaco extra virgin olive oil due to its 100% organic nature.
For anyone interested in learning everything about pure, premium-level olive oil, consider checking out more of our on-site blogs. Have a healthy day!
