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6 Health Benefits of Olive Oil

olive oil health benefits

 

Is olive oil is good for you and how? This question has been asked hundreds of times and a lot of researches were made to discover the health benefits of olive oil. Olive oil mostly consists from monounsaturated fats which makes this oil healthy and good for heart. It is a well-known fact that people who live in the Mediterranean region and consume a lot of olive oil rarely suffer from heart diseases and generally enjoy good health. Here are some olive oil health benefits that have been thoroughly studied and are mostly scientifically proven.

 

Olive Oil and Heart Health

Fat is essential nutrient for human’s body. Though if your total fat intake comes from saturated fats it can lead to the raise of cholesterol level in your blood which causes all kinds of heart diseases. Olive oil benefits health so that it is not only a good source of fat, but it can reduce the ‘bad’ cholesterol level in our blood thus preventing from heart attacks and other diseases related to a high cholesterol level. Olive oil mostly consists from monounsaturated fats (a type of unsaturated fats) which are recommended to constitute from 25 to 35% of your total daily fat intake. Thereby replacing the saturated fats that you commonly use with olive oil can contribute to your heart health.

 

Olive Oil and Cancer

The damage from free radicals can be the main cause of cancer. Antioxidants such as oleic acid that are largely contained in olive oil can protect the cells of our body from the effect of free radicals. This makes olive oil an especial fat source that can contribute to your fight with cancer or help to prevent it. A number of recent studies converge on the fact that taking 1 tablespoon of olive oil daily can lead to reducing the risk of colon and breast cancer.

 

Olive oil and Diabetes

A daily intake of 1 tablespoon of olive oil has shown positive results among the people who suffer from diabetes. The scientists who were working on the problem came to the conclusion that olive oil can reduce the blood sugar level and improve the sensitivity to insulin. This can prevent getting type 2 diabetes.  Nevertheless, olive oil is not a diabetes remedy so consult your physician before starting taking olive oil for diabetes treatment purposes.

 

Other Benefits of Olive Oil

-        Anti-aging benefits – olive oil slows aging process due to a significant amount of Vitamin E contained in it. It protects your hair and skin from drying out as well. Check out our recipes of homemade skin care based on olive oil.

-        Hair benefits – olive oil greatly penetrates your hair and makes it strong, healthy and shiny even in cold winter climate. It promotes hair growth and treats split ends and flyaways.

-        Weight loss – olive oil is a proven cooking oil choice for those who want to lose weight. It boosts our metabolism and makes you feel energetic. If taken in moderation, olive oil does not accumulate in your body as fat thus not leading to the weight gain.