Olive oil is got from the fruit of the olive tree. It is a traditional tree of the Mediterranean region but nowadays it is used worldwide. Olive oil is traditionally used in cosmetics, medicine, cooking, and soaps. It was also used as a fuel for traditional lamps. Olive oil can be used for making bread, for frying, salad dressing, in pizza.
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and many other nutrients. Olive oil has many health benefits such as, provides cardiovascular health, provides brain and nervous system health, reduces inflammation, remove joints pain, provide liver health, reduce cancer risk, etc.
Botanical Name: Olea europaea L
The olive tree is native to the Mediterranean but now a day it is worldwide. The wild olive tree generates in Asia Minor or in ancient Greece. The earliest surviving olive oil amphorae date to 3500 BC, though the production of olive oil is assumed to have started before 4000 BC. In India, olive trees are grown in all states of India.
Olive oil available such as a, Olive oil, Refined olive oil, Virgin olive oil, Extra virgin olive oil.
Nutrition Profile
Health Benefits
Cardiovascular health
Olive oil helps to slow down the aging of the heart as we know we grow older parallel heart older.
Consumption of olive oil lower the bad cholesterols and increases the good cholesterols in the body, which can help in lowering the risks of heart diseases.
One of recent study, researchers discovered that In of elderly individuals take diet rich in olive oil or other monounsaturated fats could improve the arterial function.
Other study suggested that olive oil in diet resulted in the reduction of endothelial damage and dysfunction.
Olive oil also has an anti-inflammatory property which can reduce the risk of inflammation of heart, endothelium dysfunction, thrombosis, etc.
MAIN THING: Olive oil full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties help protect your blood cholesterol from oxidation and reduce your risk of chronic heart diseases.
Brain health
Olive oil is a good source of fatty acids either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fatty acids. Opposite to these fatty acids, a Tran’s fatty acid in food can affect the brain which is present in outside food or fast food. Taken an excessive amount of Trans fat in the diet can damage the brain and produces brain disease like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, forgetfulness, irritation, etc.
Olive oil can help in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases which are characterized by progressive loss of the structure or function of brain cells. Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are neurodegenerative diseases.
Olive oil has some important compounds that inhibit the accumulation of a protein in the brain, which is one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease. Olive oil also protects neurons and keeps neurotransmitter levels is normalized and improved motor function.
MAIN THING: Olive oil is super oil because it contains all nutrients which enhance the brain activity and keep the nervous system healthy. Olive oil boosts focus, concentration, and mental ability so it is useful in making medicine.
Reduces the cancer risk
Olive oil has many important fatty acids and antioxidants. These both work together and play a duty of chemoprotective substances. It can reduce the risk of cancer such as breast cancer.
Olive oil direct work on oncogene. This oncogene can protect further damage to DNA, enhance the tumor cell death and increase the formation of new healthy cells.
Omega 3 fatty acid, omega 6 fatty acid and antioxidants in olive oil can help in removing free radicals in the body. Free radicals can produce oxidative stress in the cells and can cause cell damage and produce chronic diseases. So removing free radicals can lower the risk of cancer.
Many lab studies found that nutrients in olive oil can fight cancer cells and lower the risk of cancer.
MAIN THING: Due to anti-oxidants and health beneficial fatty acid in olive oil may reduce risk of cancer but further study required.
Reduces the risk of inflammation
Olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. This property can protect from the inflammation to the body. Oleic acid and hydroxytyrosol which are present in olive oil can reduce the inflammation such as acute pancreatitis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease etc.
Chronic inflammation is the main driver of every disease, such as cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, arthritis and even obesity because the chronic disease can affect immunity. So the body does not fight with inflammation and damage the body cells.
One review suggested that the main fatty acid in olive oil is oleic acid, can help to reduce levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) which important inflammatory marker.
A article published in journal showed that antioxidants found in olive oil can inhibit some genes and proteins that drive inflammation.
MAIN THING: Antioxidants and Oleocanthal in olive oil can work as an anti-inflammatory medicine. The anti-bacterial property of olive oil can kill the bad bacteria in the stomach and intestine and keep away from the inflammation of GIT.
Liver protector
Olive oil can remove the oxidative stress from the cells which can damage the cells. Because of more oxidative stress can increase the chemical reaction between healthy cells and free radicals. So olive oil is the bodyguard of the liver.
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants can help in protection against organ damage by heavy metal toxicity. In the human body, every toxin removes my liver. If the liver is healthy it can protect against chronic disease as well as liver disease. So it can help in keeping a healthy liver.
MAIN THING: Toxins are present in the body, olive oil can help in reducing many clinical signs of toxicity, including headaches and high blood pressure. it works as a detoxifying agent and removes all waste products from the body.
Remove Joint pain
Olive oil has healing properties. This healing property works as medicine and reduces pain in joints. It can help in the case of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, rheumatism, and any other joints pain.
Olive oil is also helpful in autoimmune disease in which its own immune system can damage the healthy cells by mistake such as rheumatoid arthritis. So pain killer property of olive oil can reduce pain and aches by use as a massage.
Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, which can cause oxidative stress, and this stress can cause inflammation in the body, thus eliminating those free radicals by antioxidants. So it gives relief in joints pain.
In one research article, Study conducted on people with rheumatoid arthritis has olive and fish oil helps in handgrip strength, joint pain and morning stiffness
MAIN THING: Olive oil has a good amount of antioxidants and also anti-inflammatory properties. These both are work as a remedy to the person who suffers from arthritis, gout and rheumatism.
Safety Profiles
Toxicity: If olive oil can be taken in the excessive amount it can produce toxicity and it can fatal. So take this oil in an adequate amount.
Low blood pressure: If anyone suffering from lower blood pressure or taken medicine for high blood pressure, taken olive oil under the guidance of medical practitioners because olive oil can reduce the blood pressure.
GIT troubles: olive oil can produce diarrhea if anyone sensitive to it. So take an adequate amount when taken the first time.
Selection and Storage
Selection
Select the oil that can full of nutrients. During choosing of oil also look for the color of oil, the odor of oil and the quality of oil as well as content present in the oil.
Always buy oil at the supermarket where the good and fresh quality is available.
Storage
Olive oil has high monounsaturated fat content so it can be stored longer than most other oils. Store the oil in a glass container or in the stainless steel container and keep away from air, heat, and light. Oil also can store in the refrigerator.
Olive oil can store for months or years.