The topic of extra virgin olive oil came up when I was at lunch recently. Everyone I was there with knew that olive oil was healthy, but they didn’t all know the reasons why. That left me thinking, and I decided it would be a good idea to write down the reasons why extra virgin olive oil is one of the healthiest foods available to us.

It lowers cholesterol

Thanks to its fatty acids, extra virgin olive oil helps to reduce harmful cholesterol (LDL). This means it helps to prevent cardiovascular disease, it optimizes blood circulation and, therefore, combats high blood pressure.

It helps prevent disease and slow the aging process

Another reason extra virgin olive oil is healthy is that it contains antioxidants which strengthen the immune system and, as a result, make you less susceptible to diseases. Antioxidants also help to keep the cells of the body in top condition, something that slows the feeling of aging on your skin.

Extra virgin olive oil helps you to maintain a healthy weight

Poor eating habits and eating in excess are the main factors that lead to a person being overweight. We can see that olive oil is quite nutritious, with the added benefit of satisfying your hunger. Furthermore, switching the oil used to fry foods from another type of oil to olive oil means less oil is absorbed by the food, which in turn means no more oil is consumed than is necessary.

Natural anti-inflammatory

Thanks to its high oleocanthal content, extra virgin olive oil has an anti-inflammatory function. As a matter of fact, it works particularly well for inflammation of the joints. In this respect, consuming extra virgin olive oil is especially healthy for people who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or for helping to prevent it.

Anticarcinogenic

Oleocanthal also contributes to the prevention of and fight against cancer. This component of olive oil inhibits tumor processes, destroying one of the proteins of the cancer cells and preventing these cells from replicating.

I know that neither of us needs excuses to have olive oil in our diets. But isn’t it fantastic that as well as its exquisite flavor, it is also so healthy?

Fuente: NCBI