Olive oil is one of the most versatile cooking oils. It can be used in everything from salad dressings to sautéing vegetables, even baking a cake. We are probably preaching to the choir by saying there are plenty of wonderful things you can do with olive oil, but are you aware of all of the significant health benefits? Here are five reasons why olive oil is amazing:
Olive oil has been shown to help lower blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Olive oil has been shown to help lower blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Monounsaturated fats are one of the most beneficial types of fat for your heart. They have been shown to help lower LDL (the “bad”) cholesterol while simultaneously raising HDL (the “good”) cholesterol.
Polyphenols found in olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols, natural antioxidants that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. These potent antioxidants can help relieve pain and stiffness associated with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Loosening up the joints during a nice meal feels like a win-win!
Olive oil antioxidants may also help control blood sugar and prevent diabetes.
Research has found that the high levels of antioxidants (including vitamin E) in olive oil may help control blood sugar and prevent diabetes by inhibiting the oxidation of lipids (fats). This means that if you have poor blood sugar control or want to prevent diabetes, adding more foods rich in natural antioxidants like olives into your diet might be beneficial.
Olive oil may even help you lose weight as part of a balanced diet.
One of the most common myths about olive oil is that it's "fattening". But this isn't true! In fact, as part of a healthy diet, olive oil may actually help you lose weight. The secret lies in its composition. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and other nutrients that help slow down digestion and keep you feeling full longer. This means you're less likely to overeat or make unhealthy snacking choices after eating a meal prepared with olive oil—which can help prevent weight gain over time.
Studies have shown that extra virgin olive oil improves energy metabolism in cells.
Extra virgin olive oil has been shown to improve energy metabolism in cells. It increases energy expenditure, energy production, and consumption.
In a study conducted by the Department of Food Science and Technology at the University of California-Davis, researchers found that rats fed with extra virgin olive oil showed increased mitochondrial function and fat oxidation (the process where fat is burned for fuel). They also reported reduced muscle protein breakdown and improvements in insulin sensitivity after ten weeks on a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil.
Studies from other research groups have confirmed these results on both human subjects as well as animals like mice.
Conclusion
The health benefits of olive oil are well-known, and now you can add them to your list of reasons to use this delicious ingredient in your cooking. However, there is always more research being done on this superfood! If you want more information about the potential benefits of olive oil, check out our blog post on cooking with olive oil on bakerandolive.com