Olive Oil is Rich in Healthy Monounsaturated Fats
Olive oil is the natural oil extracted from olives, the fatty fruit of the olive tree.
About 24% of the oil is saturated fats and omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids (1).
But the predominant (73%) fatty acid in olive oil is a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, which is extremely healthy.
Oleic acid is believed to help reduce inflammation, and may have beneficial effects on genes linked to cancer
Olive Oil Contains Large Amounts of Antioxidants
Extra virgin olive oil is fairly nutritious.
Apart from its beneficial fatty acids, it contains modest amounts of Vitamins E and K.
But olive oil is also loaded with powerful antioxidants.
These antioxidants are biologically active and may help fight serious diseases
Olive Oil Has Strong Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Chronic inflammation is thought to be among the leading drivers of many diseases.
This includes cancer, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis and even obesity.
Olive oil can reduce inflammation, which may be one of the main reasons for its health benefits.
The main anti-inflammatory effects are mediated by the antioxidants. Key among them is oleocanthal, which has been shown to work similarly to ibuprofen, an anti-inflammatory drug
Olive Oil is Protective Against Heart Disease
Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world (16).
Observational studies conducted a few decades ago showed that heart disease was rare around the Mediterranean Sea.
This led to extensive research on the Mediterranean diet, which has now been shown to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease (17, 18).
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the key features of this diet, and protects against heart disease via numerous mechanisms (19).
It lowers inflammation, protects LDL cholesterol from oxidation, improves the function of the lining of the blood vessels, and may help prevent unwanted blood clotting