Olive Oil
OLIVE OIL: The Liquid Gold
Olive oil , the “liquid gold” by Homer is the key ingredient of the Cretan diet. It is a food that the numerous benefits for our health is well-known due to various scientific studies in Universities and research centers all over the world. Is a dietary treasure that has many beneficial effects on the human body, the most important for our health are the following:
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Olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. These fats are the so called “good” fat and they protect from various diseases such as cardio vascular diseases, diabetes and it is proven that they reduce “bad” cholesterol levels.
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Contains large amounts of antioxidants. These antioxidants are biological active and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. It also contains modest amounts of vitamin E and K.
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Protects against heart diseases. Heart diseases are the most common cause of death in the Western world. The extra virgin olive oil has numerous benefits for heart health. It reduces the blood pressure, it lowers inflammation, protects “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidation, improves the lining of your blood vessels and may prevent excessive blood clotting.
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Have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Olive oil contains nutrients such as oleocanthal and oleic acid that fight inflammation.
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Help prevent strokes. Several large studies demonstrate that people who consume olive oil have a much lower risk of stroke, which is the second cause of death in the modern world.
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Reduce type 2 diabetes risk. Both observational studies and clinical trials suggest that olive oil combined with a Mediterranean diet can reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes.
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Can help treat Rheumatoid Arthritis. Olive oil helps reduce joint pain and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis. The beneficial effects are greatly increased when combined with fish oil.
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It helps suspend the development of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists of the University of Louisiana stopped the development of the disease on guinea pigs using a special picked Greek olive oil in their diet. According to the professors this is a major breakthrough that opens the door to the characterization of olive oil as food medicine.
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It helps with depression. Several studies indicate that a diet with high intake of olive oil was associated with lower risk of depression.
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Hydrates the skin and hair. Olive oil has moisturize properties therefore it is one of the main ingredients in many beauty products. You can use it to remove your make up, in a homemade hair mask, as a treatment for cuticles or to make your own homemade body scrub.
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The antioxidants in olive oil have anti-cancer properties. People in Mediterranean countries have a lower risk of some types of cancer and the researchers believe that olive oil may be the reason. The antioxidants in olive oil can reduce oxidative damage due to free radicals which is believed to be the leading cause of the disease.
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It has antibacterial properties. Olive oil contains many nutrients that inhibit or kill harmful bacteria. One of these is Helicobacter Pylori, a bacterium that lives in your stomach and can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer .
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Olive oil is not associated with weight gain and obesity. Eating excessive amounts of fats causes weight gain, however numerous studies have linked the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil with favorable effects on body weight. Moderate intake may even aid weight loss.
