The Benefits of Olive Oil That You Should Know
Did you ever wonder, what could be the secret behind the savoring flavors of the Italian Cuisines?
You guessed it right, it is due to the Italian spices, sauces, and seasonings. But there’s this one thing that you might have left behind. It is olive oil.
All the Mediterranean countries are widely popular for including olive oil as an essentiality in their diet. And the Roman empire of Italy is no different. Olive oil has, in fact, been one of the key ingredients of Italian cuisine ever since. The virgin olive is popular not just for its grassy, spicy, and peppery taste. It is also popular for the extremely helpful health benefits it offers. Read through to discover the benefits of olive oil that you should know.
What is Olive Oil?
To start with, let’s understand what olive oil exactly is.
Rich in monosaturated fats like oleic acid, the olive oil can be defined as the fat extracted by pressing (usually, the cold-press) the whole olives. For a very long time, olives were used in religious ceremonies. However, over time they found their way into our diets. Like ordinary vegetable oils, olive oil can be used for cooking and dressing salads. But that’s not the limit of olive oil use. It is also used in cosmetics and medicines besides lamp oil efficiently. One can broadly categorize olive oils into three types:
Extra virgin olive oil
Olive oil
The light-tasting olive oil
The Benefits of Olive Oil
Exactly as stated above, olive oil is quite a nutritious oil, particularly because of concentrated amounts of monosaturated fats (73% of the oil content). A whole lot of health benefits that come with olive oil make it a much-resorted cooking oil (not to mention other uses). The following are the health benefits of using olive oil in your daily diet.
Anti-oxidants: Besides healthy fatty acids and vitamin K and E, olive oil is also rich in antioxidants. These biologically active antioxidants reduce our vulnerability to chronic diseases.
May prevent strokes: Often caused by the disturbed flow of blood (or blood clots and bleeding) to our brain, stroke is a severe cause of death. The monosaturated fats in olive oil are believed to significantly reduce the risk of stroke and cardiac diseases.
Reduced risk against cancer: Including olive oil in a regular diet is associated with the effectively reduced risk of cancer.
Prevents diabetes type 2: The healthy fats in olive oil are effective in keeping the blood sugar under control. It is thus suggested to use olive oil to prevent diabetes.
Strengthened bones: The high concentration of osteocalcin in olive oil can facilitate strengthening the bones.
Triggers weight loss: Despite being calorie-dense, olive oil is said to be helpful in triggering weight loss.
Improved digestion: The olive oil facilitates the smooth movement of food in the digestive tract. It speeds up digestion.
Relief in depression: Like anti-depressant pills, olive oil also triggers the release of serotonin (the happy hormone).
Enhances skin and health: Vitamin E has been a key to healthy hair and skin. Being a rich source of Vitamin E, olive oil is known to enhance skin and hair conditions.
Boosted brain health: Olive oil is also a rich source of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These are healthy for our brain.
