Olive oil can reduce risk of heart diseases

19 June, 2012

Olive is a fruit of the Mediterranean basin, and the fat obtained from this fruit is known as olive oil. Though it is high in fat content, still it is considered healthy. Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), which is considered to be healthy fat, is found in this oil.

STUDIES HAVE confirmed that using two tablespoons of olive oil can reduce the risk of heart attack by fifty percent, and one tablespoon of olive oil reduces the risk by twenty eight percent. The study was done on 41,000 adults for about twenty years, in a study 'European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition', reported Zeenews.

British experts say that olive oil, when used in Mediterranean diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables, plays a bigger role in avoiding heart diseases, than discussed earlier. “This research is very significant,” said Dr Charles Knight of the British Cardiovascular Society, as reported in Daily Mail.

Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFs) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFs) play a vital role in deceasing the risk of heart diseases. The MUFs helps in lowering the total cholesterol level and the LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol level, normalizes blood clotting, and maintains the level of insulin and glucose in your body.

The other health benefits of olive oil are:
Olive oil if used as main dressing oil, helps to prevent constipation and gastritis, and treat ulcers.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition stated that diets which contains high monounsaturated fats (such as food cooked in olive oil), does not cause any weight gain and are good to taste. This kind of diet is good for diabetic patients, as obesity acts as trigger for diabetes.

Using olive oil in your diet at regular basis decreases the risk of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. The MUFs present in olive oil produce anti-inflammatory substances which reduces the symptoms of arthritis and also prevents asthma.

Usually, all kinds of fats are associated with increasing the risk of colon cancer but MUFs are unique facts which reduce the risk of colon cancer. These fats are not easily damaged by oxygen, and are less likely to produce free radicals, which are the key cause of cancer.

Olive oil contains vitamins E , which helps in delaying the aging process. Olive oil can be used as moisturizer, it provides a soft and smooth skin. Source : All -about-olive-oil.

The oil contains healthier fats but it is high in calories, so it should be moderately used. The other thing to be kept in mind is that, you cannot make a unhealthier food healthier, by just adding olive oil to it. Olive oil should be stored carefully in dark areas, because heat light and air can change its taste and decrease its nutritional value. It is advisable to use olive oil within a year after opening.