Living a healthy life is something we all aspire to, but not everyone puts in the effort to make it a reality.
While regular exercise and a balanced diet can significantly improve our health, there are also certain ingredients we can incorporate into our meals to reduce the risk of cancer and other diseases.
In this article, we’ll discuss the incredible benefits of one such ingredient.
And that ingredient is easily available everywhere.
And…
We are talking about: Olive Oil.
The Mediterranean diet, centred around olive oil, is renowned as one of the healthiest diets in the world.
So why not make olive oil a staple in your diet today?
Olive oil is packed with healthy nutrients, such as polyphenols and oleic acid, that have been shown to have numerous health benefits.
According to a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, oleic acid, which makes up 70-80% of olive oil, has properties that can lower cholesterol levels and help prevent cancer and Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition to its health benefits, olive oil is also a key ingredient in the Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes vegetables, moderate fish consumption, low to moderate dairy consumption, little to no red meat consumption, and moderate wine consumption. This diet has been shown to be effective in preventing various chronic diseases and promoting healthy ageing.
The benefits of olive oil don’t stop there. Oleic acid, the primary component of olive oil, has antioxidant properties that can directly control both the synthesis and activity of antioxidant enzymes.
It can also block the production of proteins associated with cholesterol transport, lowering cholesterol absorption and preventing atherosclerosis.
Furthermore, oleic acid has been found to have anti-cancer properties, inhibiting the overexpression of oncogenes and promoting programmed cell death.
It has also been labelled as an anti-inflammatory chemical by many researchers, with some suggesting it as an effective treatment for obesity.
So, what are you waiting for?
Start incorporating olive oil into your daily diet today to reap the numerous health benefits it offers. Use it as a cooking oil, salad dressing, or even as a dipping sauce for bread. With its delicious taste and numerous health benefits, you can’t go wrong with adding olive oil to your diet.
