Want to know the “secret” of the ancient people to encourage health and healing to the body?
I will explore in this post the benefits of Olive Oil (EVOO Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to your life can increase your goal of achieving more health to your body.
- ANTI-INFLAMMATORY
All of us are experiencing aging, and along with aging comes a breakdown of the immune response, which then leads to a chronic systemic inflammatory state. Any chronic inflammation can bring along with it all types of health problems, which can range from digestive problems to mental decline and even cancer. I have done my best over the years to counteract “ill-health”, but aging happens (if we are blessed} to the best of us. So, life happens to bring along with it, the accumulation of various lifestyle habits—such as, stress, lack of sleep, or inactivity. Another one of the benefits of Olive Oil is to counteract this inflammation by adding 2 tablespoons of EXTRA VIRGIN PURE OLIVE OIL to your diet. As per a report from HARVARD HEALTH PUBLISHING (3/1/2022), “Extra virgin olive oil can reduce inflammation, which may be one of the main reasons for its health benefits.” Olive oil’s main anti-inflammatory effects are from the antioxidant oleocanthal. This antioxidant has been shown to work like ibuprofen!
- ANTI-MICROBIAL
According to a report found in Google, there’s some evidence to support the high probability that olive oils that have a high polyphenol content (ex. EVOO) can “inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria). With all the microorganisms that surround us in our environment, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, we need to arm our immune system with “powerful weapons” such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil, EVOO, to have a “fighting chance”. In an article presented by nih.gov, Polyphenols are probably one of the most important groups of minor polar components present in EVOO. Taking into account the bioavailability of polyphenols, several authors ascertained that the use of EVOO in food might help in supporting the prevention against foodborne pathogens. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov).
- ANTI-ARTHRITIC
Well, if EVOO works as an anti-inflammatory remedy, then, could it help arthritis? According to the “Arthritis Foundation” in the UK, EVOO may reduce pain caused by arthritis. EVOO is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and works as an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce swelling and pain in arthritic joints!
- ACTS AS AN ANALGESIC
Additional benefits of Olive Oil include analgesic properties. If you are the type of person who is ready to “ditch” your pain pills, i.e. “ibuprofen”, then this information should have you “jumping for joy”! Per the “Arthritis Foundation”, alongside Omega-3, EVOO also contains “oleocanthal” a natural compound which works in a similar way to NSAIDS (non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs), by reducing the effect of enzymes that cause inflammation. Did you know that regular use of NSAIDs increases the risk of kidney failure and stomach ulcers? Oleocanthal in EVOO was discovered to contain the same enzymes as drugs like Ibuprofen, despite the molecular structure of oleocanthal and ibuprofen being completely different. It has been shown that eating olive oil as -part of a Mediterranean Diet has health benefits indirectly linked to arthritis symptoms.
- MAY HELP WITH PROSTATE CANCER
Here’s another FASCINATING study done on this “liquid gold”! The phenolic compound found abundantly in EVOO, Oleocanthal, was discovered to kill up to 94% of human prostate cancer in vitro in this study. Apparently this natural compound was so potent that it started killing cancer cells in as little as 30 mins.! (nih.gov). It has been known for years that EVOO protects from heart disease and cancer: in Europe, studies have shown that “high consumers” have up to 48% less fatal heart disease and 44% less risk of getting any cancer in general! According to this article, specifically for men with prostate cancer, men getting at least1 teaspoon daily of EVOO had 45% less risk of prostate cancer compared to non-consumers. However, in one study the optimal amount may be as high as 1-2 TBSP daily.
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26380379
CONCLUSION:
Healthy lifestyle change is a long term commitment: a single TBSP of EVOO won’t suffice. Regular consumption (1-3 TBSP/day), depending on your size/nutritional needs over your lifetime may supply your body with a continuous, steady dose to potentially lower your risk of several diseases associated with aging. Ultimately, you’re likely to get the greatest health boost from EVOO as part of an overall “health overflowing” lifestyle which includes, whole foods, physical activity, and managing stress.