Olive Oil

Olive oil is made by pressing whole olives and can be used for cooking, in salads, some people consume it by the spoonful for medicinal purposes. It can be also used in cosmetics, medicine, soaps, and as a fuel for traditional lamps. Olive oil originally came from the Mediterranean, but today, it is popular around the world.

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants. The main fat it contains is monounsaturated fatty acids, which considered as a healthful fat. The antioxidants in olive oil may help protect the body from cellular damage that can lead to a range of health conditions and diseases. Extra virgin olive oil has a bitter flavor, but it contains more antioxidants than other types, as it undergoes the least processing.

As natural olive oil contains 70% monounsaturated fatty acid it lowers cholesterol accumulation in the blood and reduces heart problems. Olive oil also reduces the risk of diabetes and atherosclerosis. Although high in calories, olive oil has shown to help reduce levels of obesity.

It helps to fights mood disorders and depression. Healthy fats, including olive oil, have hormone-balancing, anti-inflammatory effects that can prevent neurotransmitter dysfunction. Low-fat diets are often linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety.

There is many other benefits. It may help prevent strokes, it is protective against heart disease, it may fight Alzheimer’s disease, it may reduce type 2 diabetes risk, the antioxidants in olive oil have anti-cancer properties, it can help treat rheumatoid arthritis, it has antibacterial properties.