Skip to main content

The Goodness of Olive Oil


Olive oil the main component of Mediterranean diet is derived by crushing and then pressing fresh olives. There are many types of olive oils available in the market through out the year. Depending on the processing the types of olive oil include - pure extra virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil, pure and extra light olive oil.

Extra virgin olive oil is however considered the most health promoting as it is derived from first pressing of the olives thus has a natural delicate flavor with the goodness of more antioxidants.

Health benefits of olive oil -

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acid, a type of unsaturated fat that has health promoting properties. Olive oil is considered one of the healing fats as when it is replaced with other fats; especially saturated fats have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, colon cancer, asthma and diabetes.


Heart health – olive oil is very protective against heart disease. It prevents oxidation of low density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol) and thus prevents it from sticking to the arterial walls. It also helps to decrease the total cholesterol and doesn’t affect the high density lipoproteins (HDL cholesterol).


Low cholesterol along with low oxidation of LDL helps to prevent atherosclerosis. The fatty acid that predominates in olive oil is oleic acid that is very resistant to free radical or oxidative damage. In addition to monounsaturated fat, olive oil is loaded with other powerful antioxidants that have free radical scavenging abilities like vitamin E, carotenoids, polyphenolic compounds tyrosol, hydrotyrosol, oleuropein-all and also chlorophyll. In fact it is believed that the abundant polyphenols in extra virgin oil are responsible for cardiovascular benefits rather than the monounsaturated fats alone. Olive oil also helps to maintain a healthy lining of the blood vessels and prevent high blood pressure.
Colon cancer – including olive oil in the diet may have a protective effect against colon cancer when compared to other fats. The polyphenols in olive oil have anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant and antioxidant properties that are responsible for the protective effect against colon cancer, breast cancer and osteoporosis (preventing bone loss).
A healthy meal including olive oil and low in fat have a good control over the blood sugar levels and helps to keep the triglyceride levels low in diabetic patients.
Although studies prove that olive oil when replaced with saturated fats helps to lose weight, it should be taken in recommended amounts. Remember that any fat provides almost double the calories compared to carbohydrates or proteins.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dark Pigmentation Around Neck

Dark pigmentation around the neck is known as   Acanthosis nigricans. It  is a skin condition characterized by dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases. Most often, acanthosis nigricans affects your armpits, groin and neck. With acanthosis nigricans, you may naturally be concerned about the appearance of your skin. Some steps may help lighten the affected areas of your skin. There is no specific treatment for acanthosis nigricans , but treating any underlying conditions, such as diabetes and obesity, may cause the changes in your skin to fade. Symptoms Skin changes. Skin changes are the only signs of acanthosis nigricans. You'll notice dark, thick, velvety skin in body folds and creases  usually in your armpits, groin and neck. Sometimes the lips, palms or soles of the feet are affected as well. Slow progression. The skin changes appear slowly, sometimes over months or years. Feasible itching.  The affected areas may itch.
Read more

What signs and symptoms can occur if thyroid function is affected?

Thyroid gland: A gland that makes and stores hormones that help regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, body temperature, and the rate at which food is converted into energy. Thyroid hormones are essential for the function of every cell in the body. They help regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions (metabolism) in the body. Thyroid hormones also help children grow and develop. The thyroid gland is located in the lower part of the neck, below the Adam's apple, wrapped around the trachea (windpipe). It has the shape of a butterfly: two wings (lobes) attached to one another by a middle part. The thyroid uses iodine, a mineral found in some foods and in iodized salt, to make its hormones. The two most important thyroid hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), which is produced by the pituitary gland, acts to stimulate hormone production by the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland also makes the hormone calcitonin, which is...
61 comments
Read more

How To Use Green Tea For Weight Loss

Green Tea For Weight Loss  There is absolutely no denying the fact that the hype associated with green tea herb weight loss programs has a lot of substance and scientific assistance. Since information flow is so swift and quick nowadays that it becomes almost impossible to identify fact from fiction, research from rumor and real result from an advertising claim. However, some hints and tips can give you head-start in your pursuit of shedding pounds through green tea weight reduction program. Green tea herb and it is advantages First of all, it is necessary to understand that this revolutionary weight reduction product, as termed by many, is actually tea in the purest and most unprocessed form. Camellia Sinensis is a plant or bush that golf course tea is extracted. The full process of making golf course tea involves nothing more than steaming the leaves, which preserves its 75 % natural ingredients.
37 comments
Read more