Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil are extensive with new attributes being discovered all the time. Some of the main benefits are:

Heart Health

For persons at high cardiovascular risk, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with extra virgin olive oil can reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events. In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration allowed the health claim that 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

Blood Pressure

Several studies for different age groups and with a large number of participants, have found that the daily consumption of extra virgin olive oil is associated with reducing high blood pressure.

Osteoporosis

A high consumption of extra virgin olive oil appears to improve bone mineralisation and calcification. It helps improve calcium absorption, so plays an important role in preventing the onset of osteoporosis and also aiding sufferers.

Cancer

The phytonutrient in extra virgin olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation and has been found to be effective against breast, colon and prostate cancer cells and its recurrence.

Immune System

Fresh extra virgin olive oil contains polyphenols that furnish the immune system, protect from heart disease and display anticancer activity by acting as free radical traps.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Studies have indicated that people with diets containing high levels of extra virgin olive oil are less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.