Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Good For You?
In the world of health and wellness, one particular food has been getting a lot of attention: extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). In addition to being delicious, EVOO is supposedly good for your heart and may help you lose weight.
But, can we just say it: Everything in life that’s good for you comes with a catch? In this case, it’s the label on your bottle of EVOO. If an oil says “extra virgin” on its front label but also includes other buzzwords like “cold pressed” or “first pressing,” then it could be fake—and not all that healthy for you after all.
It’s a source of good-for-you monounsaturated fatty acids.
Extra virgin olive oil is high in monounsaturated fats, which are good for your heart, brain, and skin. The fats found in most other types of cooking oils—saturated fats—have been linked to serious health problems like cancer and diabetes. You should aim to replace those with healthier options like extra virgin olive oil instead.
It contains phytonutrients that may lower your risk of chronic diseases.
Olive oil contains phytonutrients that may lower your risk of chronic diseases, especially cancer. Phytonutrients—natural chemicals found in plants—are known to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.
They are thought to play a role in cell signaling which helps reduce the risk of chronic disease. Research on phenols (including oleocanthal), flavonoids, and carotenoids has shown these compounds can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by strengthening blood vessels and reducing inflammation while also decreasing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
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These phytonutrients may also benefit brain health by reducing the buildup of beta-amyloid protein plaques associated with Alzheimer’s disease or preventing cognitive decline due to aging or other causes such as diabetes or stroke injury.
However, more research is needed before any specific recommendations can be made regarding how much olive oil you should consume daily for optimal health benefits from its phytonutrient content
It’s great for your skin, too.
EVOO is also great for your skin. It can be used on the face and body, and it’s even been shown to help with acne! According to one study, a topical application of EVOO may effectively treat acne without the use of any harmful chemicals or side effects.
Another study found that when applied topically in combination with an oral dose of antibiotics (the latter of which isn’t recommended since it’s best to only take antibiotics when absolutely necessary), EVOO helps reduce inflammation from eczema and psoriasis as well as speed up healing time for patients suffering from these conditions.
If you’re looking for an alternative moisturizer that’s natural, non-toxic, antibacterial or antifungal—and that won’t make your skin oily—try applying a few drops of extra virgin olive oil after washing your hands before bedtime; alternatively, use it on dry patches throughout the day (this will also keep them hydrated).
It may help you lose weight.
You may have heard that monounsaturated fats, like those found in extra virgin olive oil, help you lose weight. This is because they are thought to be more filling than other fats and therefore keep your appetite in check. They also help reduce inflammation and lower LDL cholesterol levels.
If you want to lose weight by eating a Mediterranean diet—one rich in fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fish—then adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet may help with this goal as well.
The antioxidants found in EVOO can aid digestion and metabolism while reducing free radical damage from oxidation; the oleic acid found in EVOO helps reduce inflammation throughout the body which improves insulin sensitivity (which means it makes it easier for your body’s cells to absorb glucose).
It’s easy to use.
Extra virgin olive oil is an easy way to add flavor and nutrients to your cooking. It can be used in place of vegetable oil, butter, margarine, and mayonnaise. And while the taste of extra virgin olive oil is different from that of other oils, you’ll quickly get used to it and may find yourself preferring the flavor over others.
EVOO is healthy to cook with, but be sure you’re buying the real stuff.
The best extra virgin olive oil is made in Italy, Spain, California and Greece. It’s a fact that the geographical origin of your EVOO will affect its flavor profile significantly. So when you’re looking for a new bottle to add to your collection, it’s important to keep this in mind.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to add more health benefits to your diet and enjoy a better quality of life, extra virgin olive oil may be the solution. It’s easy to use, delicious in cooking, and gives you many other benefits as well. However, if you want to reap these benefits then make sure you don’t settle for anything less than real EVOO!
