A lot of disagreements and contradictions exist about the presence of fats in our diets. A simple online search about the various fats and their specific role in our diets reveals a lot of conflicting information. However, almost everyone tends to agree that olive oil, especially the extra virgin olive oil, is good for our health.
Medical experts from all over the world recognize it as one of the world’s healthiest oils. The extra virgin oil is usually extracted from the olive fruit without the use of any heat or chemicals. Here are some of the top health benefits of olive oil that you didn’t know.
Olive Oil Can Help Lower Your Blood Pressure
Several scientific studies have found out that the consumption of olive oil can lead to a significant decrease in your blood pressure. One of the studies which was published in the American Journal of Hypertension established that an average diet that contains polyphenol-rich olive oil lowered the blood pressure in young men with mild hypertension. Frequent intake of olive oil is also associated with both diastolic and systolic blood pressure. Apart from the polyphenols, olive oil also contains a fatty acid known as oleic acid which also induces the lowering effect on hypertension.
It Is a Great Source of Antioxidants and Healthy Fats
The natural process of extracting olive oil ensures that it retains all of its valuable nutrients and antioxidants from the olive fruit. Have you ever wondered what makes the pizza that you love eating at your favorite Montreal Italian restaurant is a powerful antioxidant and healthy? It is because the pizza experts usually add a small amount of extra virgin olive oil to the pizza dough.
The olive oil usually contains 30 different types of phenolic compounds that act as powerful antioxidants that help to protect your body against disease-causing microorganisms. The fat composition of olive oil is also a significant contributor to its health benefits. The oil contains monounsaturated fats that can alleviate high blood pressure and chronic inflammation.
Olive Oil Can Also Improve Your Brain Health
Since the olive oil alleviates the oxidative stress that is usually caused by inflammation, they also help in protecting the tissues of other vital organs such as your brain from harmful and potentially irreversible damage. The olive oil also contains a significant amount of vitamin E which is a powerful antioxidant that is linked to improved cognition and also lowers the risk of cognitive decline. People who consume a lot of olive oil also have a reduced chance of contracting the Alzheimer’s disease.
Protects Against Heart Disease
Today, heart disease is among the leading causes of death worldwide. However, observational studies that were undertaken a few years ago established that heart disease is uncommon around the Mediterranean region since the Mediterranean diet largely values the use of olive oil. This type of oil protects against the heart disease in numerous ways.
It lowers inflammation, improves the functioning of your blood vessels, and also prevents the unnecessary blood clotting. Olive oil also reduces blood pressure which is among the most significant risk factors for contracting heart disease. If you suffer from heart disease or come from a family with a history of heart disease, you should consider including plenty of extra virgin olive oil in your diet.