Why olive oil is a better choice?
Doctors recommend replacing saturated fats – such as those from meat, dairy products and vegetables such as coconut, palm kernel and palm oils – with unsaturated fats, particularly extra virgin olive oil. Saturated fats increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, while extra virgin olive oil lowers bad LDL blood cholesterol and raises good HDL blood cholesterol levels.
It is safe, even best, to cook with extra virgin olive oil – especially for frying – and extra virgin olive oil is excellent for dressings and for dipping ...............
Olive oil has been used since earliest times and has been universally recognized as a delicious and highly nutritious food source.
Extra virgin olive oil contains iron, vitamin E and other important anti-oxidants which combat the damaging effects of free radicals in the body. Extra virgin olive oil also contains linolenic acid, the highly nutritious Omega-3 Acid found in quality fish oils .............
Some diseases olive oil has found to be effective against:
Cancer:
The phytonutrient in olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are among the other olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer ............
Heart Disease:
Olive oil lowers the levels of total blood cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides. At the same time it does not alter the levels of HDL-cholesterol (and may even raise them), which plays a protective role and prevents the formation of fatty patches, thus stimulating the elimination of the low-density lipoproteins ..............
Oxidative Stress
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, long thought to minimize cancer risk. Among plant oils, olive oil is the highest in monounsaturated fat, which doesn’t oxidize in the body, and it’s low in polyunsaturated fat, the kind that does oxidize............
Blood Pressure:
Recent studies indicate that regular consumption of olive oil can help decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure............
Diabetes:
It has been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in olive oil, low in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and soluble fiber from fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is the most effective approach for diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving blood sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity .........
Obesity:
Although high in calories, olive oil has shown to help reducing levels of obesity .........
Rheumatoid Arthritis:
Although the reasons are still not fully clear, recent studies have proved that people with diets containing high levels of olive oil are less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis ..........
Osteoporosis:
A high consumption of olive oil appears to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and so plays an important role in aiding sufferers and in preventing the onset of Osteoporosis ..........
