In a world where we chase fat, carbs, and everything that can make you unhealthy, olive oil has been unjustly banned from many tables. Yet, is it that bad, or is olive oil healthy? The answer to this question requires a nuanced and constructed reflection. To get a clear picture, it’s essential to consider the type of olive oil consumed, the frequency, how much is used, and the rest of the diet.
Today, we’ll give an in-depth analysis of olive oil, its benefits, and why choosing the right olive oil can work wonders for your health.
Is Olive Oil Healthy?
Like anything in life, oil can be good or bad; it depends on the product’s quality and how much you ingest in your daily routine. It’s like snake venom; a bite will inject you with so much poison that the immune system won’t be able to take it, while a few drops can be used to create anti-venom. It’s the same thing with oil. If you consume liters of unhealthy transformed oil, it won’t do you any good. However, using a bottle of healthy Sassicaia olive oil to cook and drizzle a few drops on top of a salad will provide you with many health benefits.
Moreover, you should always aim for high-quality extra-virgin olive oil to get the most benefits. The quality of olive oil depends on the variety of olives. It’s also important to consider the cultivation process and the harvesting technique. After cultivation, the way it’s milled can drastically change the final product and how it is used. So, is olive oil healthy? It is if you don’t use too much of it and keep a balanced diet.
The Benefits Of Olive Oil
A Healthy Source Of Fat
Olive oil is a healthy source of fat, containing polyunsaturated fats, meaning Omega-6 and Omega-3. These fatty acids are good for your health and contribute to a stable and balanced cardiovascular system. The maximum recommended amount for an adult is 70g of fat a day, and it’s better to get the fat you need from healthy olive oil than saturated fats you’ll find in most products.
More Antioxidants Against Chronic Diseases
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which are good for you. The phenolic compounds of olive oil will contribute to a healthier body and reduce the risks of chronic diseases. Antioxidants can help fight inflammation and prevent the growth of bad cholesterol. These two benefits will help reduce the risk of heart disease, and that’s why you need antioxidants in your daily life.
As the name indicates, antioxidants will, at the very least, reduce the oxidation process of your body’s cells, which damages them. By doing so, antioxidants can significantly diminish the risks of cancer and diabetes.
Olive Oil Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and such conditions have close associations with chronic inflammation. Since olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties, it’s a fantastic product to integrate into your diet to reduce the risk of developing such health issues. According to the National Library of Medicine, 50 ml of extra-virgin healthy olive oil is equivalent to 10% of the ibuprofen dose for an adult, thanks to the oleocanthal that olive oil contains.
Reducing The Risk Of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the biggest first-world problems nowadays. If associated with a Mediterranean diet, the consumption of olive oil could reduce the risk of getting type 2 diabetes by around 52%. Many studies have corroborated this thesis and linked the ingestion of olive oil with beneficial effects on blood sugar and insulin sensitivity.
Olive Oil Helps With Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis causes deformed and painful joints, and this condition is linked to an immune system failure. Thankfully, olive oil can help with the pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis and help reduce the swelling of the joints. It works even better when combined with fish oil, which also contains Omega-3 and other fatty acids beneficial to your health.
Olive Oil Can Do Wonders For Your Health
Choosing the right olive oil and respecting the proper dosage to fulfill your daily fat intake needs is essential to get the most out of this wonderful product. You can’t skimp and try to take a cheap olive oil crafted in dubious conditions, for instance. It’s best to select the best olive oil possible to avoid saturated fat.
With the right diet, olive oil can help you get all the fatty acids you need. It’ll also bring you antioxidants and other nutrients, which serve many purposes. It can help reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, type 2 diabetes, and even other chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s. Finally, it can soothe your pain and swelling if you have rheumatoid arthritis.
Olive oil can replace many products that are poor for your health, like butter, and, honestly, it’ll taste better in most cases.
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