If you could do one small and simple thing each day to sig- nificantly improve your overall health and it didn’t involve sweating at the gym or eating kale, would you do it? If the answer is yes, then read on.
Olive oil, or specifically, extra virgin olive oil, sometimes referred to as EVOO, is one of the most beneficial substances that you can put in your body. Why is olive oil so good for you? Recent research has shown the following benefits.
Boosts Immune System Extra virgin olive oil helps our bodies fight off disease because it contains abundant polyphenols. Polyphenols are strong antioxidants that are beneficial because they combat oxidative stress within our bodies. Oxidative stress contributes to disease. Two especially abundant polyphenols are found in olive oil, hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal. These both have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, neuro protective, antimicrobial, and cancer-fighting properties. Olive oil seriously boosts your immune system.
Brain/Memory/Mood/Sleep Oxidative stress contributes to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. The polyphenols found in olive oil, especially oleocanthal, may help to counter this effect. It is believed that oleocanthal- rich extra virgin olive oil reduces neuro-inflammation and restores healthy blood-brain function. Fascinating recent studies also support growing research suggesting olive oil’s brain nourishing nutrients can help stabilize and even elevate your mood, easing depression.
The beneficial fats in olive oil help our nerves function properly, supporting the central nervous system and increasing the mood-supporting compound serotonin.
Research has also shown that consuming olive oil before bed can increase significantly the amount of deep restorative sleep you get.
Cardiovascular Health
Extra virgin olive oil protects against heart disease and stroke, can help lower blood pressure, fosters improved blood flow, and is considered by most experts to be extremely heart-healthy. A study referenced in the New England Journal of Medicine from June of 2018 noted that people who adopted a Mediterranean- style diet that included 4+ tablespoons of olive oil per day had a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease, with a combined risk for heart attack, stroke, and death approx. 30% lower than participants eating a low-fat diet. Olive oil has been linked to reduced blood pressure and improved cholesterol levels as well.
Reduced Cancer Risk
Cancer rates tend to be lower in Mediterranean countries where olive oil consumption is greater. In a 2020 study, researchers at the University of Jaen in Spain revealed that diets rich in olive oil can help prevent colorectal cancer by triggering beneficial changes in gut bacteria. Olive oil has been linked to lower risk of colon and breast cancer in women. The anti-cancer properties found in olive oil include the already mentioned hydroxtyrosol and oleocanthal, along with oleic acid, phytosterols, and squalene.
Pain & Inflammation Olive oil is particularly ben-
eficial for those suffering from arthritis or any other inflamma tory condition. The polyphenols in olive oil have properties similar to the anti-inflammatory characteristics of ibuprofen.
Healthy Gut
Maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is critically important to our health. Our gut affects everything from the appearance of our skin, our mood, to proper digestion, and more. Olive oil fosters the growth of good bacteria in our gut.
Weight Loss & Energy
Besides boosting energy levels and fueling our metabolism, ingesting olive oil may help you lose weight. Olive oil can help keep your blood sugar levels stable, curbing cravings while assisting in nutrient absorption.
Diabetes
Healthy fats are an important component for those managing or trying to prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes. A 2017 study found that those consuming olive oil had a 16% reduction in the risk of developing diabetes. Fats help slow glucose absorption in the bloodstream, which keeps blood sugar stable. The main monounsaturated fat in olive oil is oleic acid. Oleic acid is particularly protective against insulin resistance.
Cleanses the Liver
Drinking significant amounts of olive oil has been shown to help clean and detoxify the liver. When you drink olive oil, your liver receives a signal to open its bile ducts. As the bile ducts open to process the olive oil in your system, anything previous- ly stuck flows out easily. Lemon juice is often added to olive oil when cleansing the liver.
Drink some olive oil today, and every day. Your body will thank you!
© 2023 Jody Dyer
