Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Why It Should Be On Your Shopping List Today
When it comes to cooking, eating healthy, and using your body as your best tool, olive oil is one of the first items you want to grab from your kitchen cabinet. In fact, studies show that an extra virgin olive oil daily diet can reduce the risk of some cancers and heart diseases. Plus, it’s delicious and can be used in a variety of ways in both your culinary and beauty regimen.
There are also many health benefits associated with extra virgin olive oil, here are some of the best ones:
1. Improve Your Skin and Hair
Many people struggle with bad hair and skin, and many of us are interested in improving our appearance. With that in mind, olive oil could be one of the best things you can use. You may have seen advertisements for olive oil as a natural cure for everything from acne to wrinkles. The truth is that extra virgin olive oil contains more than just olive oil; it also has anti-inflammatory compounds, healthy fats, minerals, etc.
Extra virgin olive oil has been used for centuries to promote health and beauty. The oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants that can help treat dry, damaged skin. It also contains vitamins A, B, E, K, and folic acid, which help keep the skin healthy. Extra virgin olive oil can also be an alternative to conventional cosmetic treatments.
2. Reduce the Risk of Heart Disease
Did you know that eating extra virgin olive oil may help to lower your risk of heart disease? A review study recently reported that eating extra virgin olive oil may help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the report, several clinical studies indicate that the antioxidant content of extra virgin olive oil may play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Boost Your Brain
Extra virgin olive oil may not be the most common cooking oil in a household, but it may have some surprising benefits for the brain and memory. According to the researchers, people who consume extra virgin olive oil every day for 6 months experienced significant improvements in their short-term and working memories. And for those who consumed just one tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil a day, there was a nearly 60 percent increase in their brain’s white matter integrity.
4. Lower Blood Pressure
Olive oil is the source of some important nutrients, like monounsaturated fats, antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamin E, and more. Research suggests that eating olive oil may also help lower blood pressure. According to one study, men and women who used extra virgin olive oil in place of saturated fat had a significantly lower risk of having high blood pressure. The researchers speculate that this might be because olive oil has a higher content of oleic acid (a monounsaturated fat) than saturated fat.
5. Fight Cancer and Increase Immunity
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is rich in antioxidants called polyphenols, which help fight cancer and increase immunity. The antioxidant power in olive oil has been proven to extend the lifespan of animals and protect them from the effects of radiation. It has also been shown to prevent prostate cancer, colon cancer and breast cancer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research.
6. Reduce Cholesterol
In a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that extra virgin olive oil, an antioxidant-rich food that many people already enjoy, may reduce cholesterol.
The researchers examined the effects of consuming 1 teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil daily for eight weeks on 30 adults with high cholesterol levels. They found that participants who consumed extra virgin olive oil had significant reductions in total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Additionally, there was a small increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Olive oil contains a large number of antioxidants that are thought to help fight heart disease by reducing inflammation, lowering cholesterol, and helping to prevent atherosclerosis.
7. Protect Against Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Age-Related Diseases
Most of us know olive oil as a healthy alternative to butter for cooking, but did you know that olive oil contains powerful antioxidant compounds, such as lutein, that may reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or some other age-related diseases? If you are already experiencing symptoms of Alzheimer’s, a study published in November 2019, found that consuming extra virgin olive oil every day for 12 weeks could slow cognitive decline. Other studies suggest that eating three servings of olives a week could be beneficial, too.
8. Prevent Type 2 Diabetes
Many studies have shown that consuming extra virgin olive oil can be a valuable tool in helping prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes.
One study found that people who added extra virgin olive oil to their diets experienced a 13% drop in their risk for developing Type 2 diabetes over a six-year period. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition also concluded that olive oil may help prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Other research has suggested that extra virgin olive oil may even help reverse the disease.
9. Improve Mood and Mental Performance
When you see a green label, your brain is going to get a boost of dopamine, which will make you feel happy and more alert. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that’s responsible for regulating our moods, so you should eat more vegetables. But wait…there’s more.
It turns out that extra virgin olive oil also boosts your mood. It increases your happiness and productivity, just like exercise. These effects of extra virgin olive oil are related to its anti-inflammatory properties. There is growing evidence that the effects are due to oleocanthal, a powerful phenolic compound found in olive oil that is believed to reduce inflammation. When we consume extra virgin olive oil, it actually gives us a natural lift. This is why people who are always stressed out and exhausted after a stressful day often find themselves happier and calmer after they eat an extra virgin olive oil salad.
10. Improve Joint Health
Most people who think that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats don’t realize that the real benefit comes from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). These are the fatty acids found in olive oil that improve joint health. In fact, a study showed that women with a high intake of PUFAs showed a reduced risk of developing osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The omega-3 fatty acids in olive oil work with the omega-6 fatty acids in our diets to produce anti-inflammatory compounds, reducing joint inflammation.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, Extra Virgin Olive Oil should be on everyone’s shopping list. I have been recommending extra virgin olive oil for a long time now. I recommend a bottle every single day because it has so many benefits. It keeps you lean, it keeps you healthy, it fights cancer, it fights heart disease, it fights diabetes, it fights depression, it strengthens your immune system, it keeps you hydrated, and it keeps your skin young and fresh. It also tastes amazing. So, check out all of the extra virgin olive oil options in the market and pick your favorite one. You won’t regret it.