Composition and Health Benefits of Olive Oil
The Healthy Oil with Preventive Properties
Nov 10, 2009
Olives have the ability to survive harsh conditions, and have a very long life. Jesuit missionaries introduced olives to Mexico and California, and the natives thought it was very nutritious. From ancient times, Arabs have eaten olives like nuts, and as an alternative to dairy products. Moreover, they are easy to digest and beneficial for acidity and stomach irritation. In ancient times, the stone of the olive was swallowed to cure lower back pain and gastric ulcers. As the stone dissolved in the body, it released valuable minerals which helped to rebuild broken tissue. No wonder then that the oil found in the pulp has many health benefits.
Composition and Properties of Olive Oil
Fats are often considered unhealthy, but “good” fats are essential for a healthy life. These fats can be mono-unsaturated or poly-unsaturated, differing in their chemical bonding. Olive oil is extracted by “pressure” and is “neutral,” so it is not saturated like animal fats. Seventy five percent of the fatty acids, which are the building blocks of oils, are mono-unsaturated, especially oleic acids. Mono-unsaturated oils have an advantage over poly-unsaturated ones because they cause less production of bile in the digestive tract, thus restricting cancer forming acids. Moreover, mono-unsaturated oils are better because they lower bad cholesterol or LDL, which blocks arteries, and increase the good cholesterol or HDL. Poly-unsaturated oils, on the other hand, also lower HDL or “good” cholesterol.
Olive oil contains 30 plant compounds which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties which prevent heart disease and cancer. It is a rich source of the antioxidant vitamin E and other vitamins, as well as flavonoids and polyphenols.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil is an essential ingredient of the Mediterranean diet, which is considered among the healthiest in the world. The oil is known for its many health benefits, including:
- It has preventive properties and guards against heart disease. Due to the composition and properties, olive oil helps to control high blood pressure and cholesterol and prevents arteriosclerosis and strokes.
- Olive oil contains vitamin E, a rich antioxidant, and thus prevents deterioration of the brain and conditions like dementia.
- The antioxidant in the oil also increases the cancer fighting properties of other food. The mono-unsaturated fat protects against colon and breast cancers.
- Olive oil helps bone formation and maintains bone density.
- Moreover, its anti-viral properties help to boost immunity. It also regulates digestion, prevents gall bladder stones and controls diabetes.
- The essential fatty acids are required for development of cells, hair and a healthy skin. They are used by the body for structural and hormonal functions.
- Olive oil helps to transport fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K throughout the body.
- Finally, it helps to maintain the balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats, which is essential for good health.
The essential fatty acids in olive oil are good for the metabolism, heart and immune systems. The zero cholesterol oil not only controls cholesterol and prevents cancer, but provides energy and is beneficial for all round good health. A Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil is said to contribute to higher longevity.
Note: Different varieties of olive oil have different tastes due to a number of factors like type of olives used, methods of cultivation and processing.
A tablespoon of olive oil contains the same number of calories as other oils.
Sources:
http://www.olive2india.com/
http://www.thefruitpages.com/olives.shtml
http://italiancuisine.suite101.com/article.cfm/the_magic_of_olive_oil
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