The Health Benefits of Olive Oil

The Health Benefits of Olive Oil

The Health Benefits of Olive Oil.

Consumption of olive oil has been associated with:

Improved sensitivity of cells to insulin, which helps to prevent the Metabolic Syndrome. Preventing Metabolic Syndrome is important, because the syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity.

Decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and Alzheimer's disease.

Potent Antioxidant Power of Olive Oil

Phenolic compounds are potent antioxidants found in virgin and extra-virgin olive oil. These compounds give unrefined olive oils their distinctive flavours and high degree of stability.

Studies indicate these compounds may be able to:

Turn off the activity of genes that produce the kind of inflammation that causes coronary heart disease.

Decrease production of inflammatory chemicals called thromboxanes and leukotrienes.

Decrease the production of the most damaging form of cholesterol, oxidized LDL cholesterol.

University of South Australia researchers note that compounds from the olive were found to be antimicrobial against various bacteria.

Reduce total cholesterol and an increase in the high-density cholesterol (HDL-C), which has a protective effect on blood vessels.

At the meeting of the "International conference on the healthy effect of virgin olive oil" that took place in Spain in 2005, numerous benefits of virgin olive oil from the research were outlined. They looked at the consumption of olive oil from the perspective of issues such as cardiovascular health, cancer, and longevity. With respect to anti-aging they noted: "The more recent studies consistently support that the Mediterranean diet, based in virgin olive oil, is compatible with a healthier ageing and increased longevity."