The way of olives cultivation is amazing. Be a part of our company if you are interested on how olive oil is produced and taste a real good a good olive oil. Click the link to check our Olive grove – Olive mill tour.
Olive oil is the protagonist of the Mediterranean diet and already in ancient times our ancestors had realized its value. In fact, Homer had described olive oil as “liquid gold”, while Hippocrates had recognized its healing properties.
Olives, from which olive oil is derived, are traditionally grown in the Mediterranean, with Greece consistently being one of the countries with the largest production of olive oil.
So let’s see 10 important benefits of olive oil:
1. It is high in monounsaturated fat. Monounsaturated fats are the so-called “good fat”, the main source of which is olive oil. Monounsaturated fats protect against the occurrence of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, while slightly reducing “bad” (LDL) cholesterol, while they do not affect or – according to other researchers – slightly increase the levels of HDL (“good” cholesterol).
2. Contains a large amount of antioxidants. The antioxidants found in olive oil are biologically active and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
3. Protects against heart diseases. Heart diseases are the most common cause of death in developed countries, according to the World Health Organization. Extra virgin olive oil has significant heart health benefits. It lowers blood pressure, inhibits the oxidation of “bad” (LDL) cholesterol and improves the functioning of blood vessels.
4. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties. Olive oil contains nutrients, such as oleic acid and oleocanthium, that fight inflammation.
5. Helps prevent stroke. Several large studies show that people who consume olive oil have a much lower risk of stroke, which is one of the leading causes of death in developed countries.
6. Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes Both observational studies and clinical trials show that olive oil, combined with a Mediterranean diet, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 40%.
7. Helps to treat rheumatoid arthritis. There is no diet that cures rheumatoid arthritis; however, olive oil can help reduce joint pain and swelling. The beneficial effects increase significantly when combined with fish oil.
8. It inhibits the progression of Alzheimer’s. Researchers at the University of Louisiana managed to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in experimental animals using specially selected Greek olive oil in their diet. According to the American professors, this is a particularly important discovery, which paves the way for the classification of olive oil as a medical food.
9. Fights depression. More and more studies support that nutrition can help adjunctly treat and prevent brain-related diseases. The Mediterranean diet, specifically olive oil, has been linked to a reduction in depression.
10. Moisturizes skin and hair. Olive oil has emollient and moisturizing properties, which is why it is a key ingredient in many skin care products. You can use it to remove your makeup, in a homemade hair mask, as a cuticle treatment, or to make your own body scrub.
Source: https://www.vita.gr/ (Elianna Kofou)