There are so many benefits of olive oil for your health that many experts in nutrition and dietetics haven’t doubted in describing this food substance as the ‘Mediterranean miracle’.  This might seem like an exaggeration but it isn’t. Olive oil is the foodstuff at the very centre of the Mediterranean diet.  And the Mediterranean Diet is considered as the healthiest way of eating in the world.  There is no doubt at all about this second claim either. Here, in our blog, we have already spoken about the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet.  You can read about it here. However, in this post, we are going to deal specifically with the benefits of olive oil for your health.  So, let’s begin. But before we start, we must insist that we are speaking about the real juice of the olive and because of that, of a very natural foodstuff.  It is what we get after pressing the olive recently picked from the tree. Although we cannot deny the fact  that the hand of man and the most modern technology used at Masía El Altet also play their part in achieving a product which can boast a high level of aroma and flavour. But what does olive oil contain that makes it so beneficial for your health? Here some of the things:
  • Monounsaturated fats (oleic acid)
  • Saturated fats
  • Polyunsaturated fats (linoleic acid)
  • Tocopherols (vitamin E)
  • Phytosterols (enabling a reduction in lipids)
  • Beta-carotenes (pro-vitamin A)
  • Polyphenols

Benefits of olive oil for your health and in the fight against cancer

There are many studies which speak openly about the benefits of oil for your health in the fight against cancer.  And to be more precise, extra virgin olive oil is recommended in the fight against skin, colon and breast cancer. To avoid contracting this type of disease, a healthy diet is advisable with the main source of fat being olive oil.  That is to say, that the fat should be natural as is the foodstuff itself.  In that way, the number of cases of cancer will be reduced noticeably. This very beneficial effect has much to do with the oleic acid it contains, the antioxidants, polyphenols and flavonoids. If we consider the skin and nothing more, we can claim that one of the  sources of the production of squalene is olive oil, and that that very substance is very beneficial. It is also much used in the cosmetic industry.  If you are interested in knowing more about squalene, you can click onto this link.

Olive oil in the fight against diabetes

Consider this figure published in a scientific study by the magazine Diabetes Care: Olive oil is capable of reducing Type 2 Diabetes by half.  The reason for this is the presence in this foodstuff of monounsaturated fats, similar to those found in seeds and nuts. A diet containing olive oil as its main foodstuff, accompanied by carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables and pulses is the best way of reducing the incidence of this type of diabetes.  If a diabetic follows this type of diet,  it is demonstrated that blood sugar levels are much better regulated.

Olive oil: the enemy of osteoporosis

If virgin olive oil is consumed daily, levels of calcium, phosphorous and nitrates in blood are increased significantly.  And what is the result?  Bones are strengthened and the appearance of osteoporosis is preempted. La osteoporosis se caracteriza por un debilitamiento de los huesos. Literalmente significa huesos porosos. Vulgarmente también se la conoce como la enfermedad de los huesos frágiles. Y si los huesos están frágiles o débiles hay un mayor riesgo  de que se produzcan fracturas en columna, muñecas o cadera. A characteristic of osteoporosis is a weakening of  the bones.  It literally means porous bones.  It is commonly known as brittle bone disease.  And if the bones are weak or fragile, there is a greater risk of fracture of the spine, wrists or hip.

Other health benefits of olive oil

  • Blood pressure. Studies show that an intake of only three spoonfuls of virgin olive oil per day is sufficient to regulate blood pressure. Three spoonfuls is also  the recommended intake for all types of people.
  • Control of cholesterol levels. It is also widely demonstrated that the natural juice of   the olive, this liquid gold called olive oil is capable of increasing  levels of good cholesterol and decreasing  the levels of bad cholesterol. This is also due to the monunsaturated fats that it contains.
  • In the fight against depression. Daily consumption can help reduce the risk of suffering depression by up to 50%, as has been shown in some studies.

Oil, part of Mediterranean culture

All  specialists coincide in pointing out that one of the great differences between the good health of the inhabitants of Mediterranean countries and that of those from northern and central Europe is that in the first group, olive oil is consumed while in the second, butter is used, above all in cooking.  This is a fat which is much more harmful for health. Between two and three spoonfuls of olive oil can be sufficient to preempt many diseases as we have seen above.  Fortunately, in countries such as Spain and also in Greece and Italy, virgin olive oil forms part of the culture itself and  its consumption is common practice. In summary, the benefits of oil for your health are many.  It is obviously a fantastic weapon -  and a natural one -  to fight against many types of cancer.  But not only that, it is also a powerful ally in the fight agains diabetes and osteoporosis. Its elements prevent an imbalance in blood pressure and help to eliminate bad cholesterol while at the same time, increasing the level of good cholesterol. It is well known that cholesterol is one of the biggest evils in present-day society.  But you have already seen how easy it is to fight agains it with a couple of spoonfuls of olive oil. Are you aware of all the benefits of olive oil for your health? Do you use it? Do you use it or other fats for cooking?  Tell us in the comments section. And if you’ve liked this post, we’d be delighted if you shared it with friends and family.  In that way, everyone will become aware of the great benefits of olive oil for their health.