The following is adapted from an article on Newsmax by Karen Ridder, June 3, 2015.
Olive oil can be an important part of a healthy diet. The benefi ts of the good fats in olive oil extend from heart health to pre- and postnatal development. Here are 10 olive oil health benefi ts to consider:
1. It can lower your risk of heart disease: Mayo Clinic doctors advise that the monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in olive oil can help keep heart disease at bay by lowering your overall cholesterol.
2. Reduces the risk of blood clots: The MUFAs in olive oil have been shown to lower blood vessel inflammation and other factors that can lead to blood clots.
3. Helps keep your blood sugar under control: The International Olive Council claims a diet high in olive oil can actually prevent the kind of blood sugar problems that can cause diabetes. Olive oil can also be an important part of a good diet for the treatment of diabetes.
4. May protect thinking abilities: A May 2015 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) showed that older people who ate a Mediterranean diet supplemented with olive oil experienced better brain power compared to participants on a low-fat diet. Participants in the study were given about 1 liter of olive oil a week.
5. Lowers blood pressure: A 2000 report published in JAMA showed that high consumption of olive oil can reduce a patient’s need for blood pressure medication.
6. Reduces inflammation: The MUFAs in olive oil can help reduce the inflammation associated with autoimmune conditions.
7. Helps relieve rheumatoid arthritis pain: The anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil can alleviate the pain of rheumatoid arthritis and may reduce the risk of developing the disease.
8. Provides for better breast milk: Olive oil in the diet helps a mother maintain high levels of vitamin E in breast milk. Olive Oil Times reports that breast milk and olive oil have similar fat contents and linoleic acid needed for good brain and nerve development.
9. Could protect against heavy metal poisoning: A 2015 study in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology showed that olive oil had the potential to keep human cells from accumulating mercury.
10. Can make your hair beautiful: MD Health reports that treating hair with olive oil can make it soft and shiny as well as help prevent hair loss. Olive oil is also a home remedy for lice and dandruff.