Extra Virgin Olive Oil health advantages

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in antioxidants.
Olive oil has many beneficial properties and consumption of the correct type of cold pressed olive oil (without cooking it) is very good for the overall health of a human being. Olive oil has valuable properties which can be attributed to the presence of monosaturated fatty acids and antioxidative substances in large proportions.
Various studies have proved that those who consumed about 2 tablespoons (25 milliliters) of extra virgin olive oil for a period of one week, showed higher levels of antioxidant compounds like phenols in the blood and less oxidation of LDL cholesterol.
The Mediterranean diet incorporates olive oil as a key ingredient in a large number of food preparations. Research teams during the 1960s found that people living in Crete partook of a variety of plant foods and increased amounts of salt and fat. Their Japanese counterparts also ate a lot of salt but low quantities of fat and plant foods. The people of Crete experienced greater longevity. They also were at lower risk of heart diseases, strokes, stomach and other types of cancer. An important finding was that the people who lived in the Mediterranean region had lower incidences of heart attacks, in spite of their dietary habits which included a high amount of olive oil and hence monosaturated fats. 
As a general rule, all varieties of virgin oil are rich in monosaturated fats. The extra virgin olive oil, however, has a higher level of antioxidants, especially vitamin E. This is because extra virgin olive oil is obtained from the first pressing of olives and undergoes less processing. Some of the benefits of consuming olive oil regularly are enumerated below:
·         Olive oil is the only naturally produced oil that has such a large proportion of monosaturated fatty acids in the form of oleic acid.

·         Most oils tend to upset the body’s omega 6 : 3 ratio. Olive oil has no such harmful effects. Additionally, many of the fatty acids present in olive oil are monosaturated omega – 9 oils.

·         A diet that incorporates olive oil has a positive effect on a body’s HDL (good) levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.

·         Vitamin E, vitamin K and polyphenols are present in olive oil. All of these increase a body’s defensive mechanism and immunity system. It may also delay the process of ageing and assist in protecting against diseases like atherosclerosis, carcinogenesis, inflammations and liver disorders.

·         Oleates present in olive oil are beneficial for maintenance of healthy bones and for their overall development.

·         A moderate consumption of olive oil on a regular basis is known to help in reduction of stored body fat, mainly in the abdomen region.
Olive oil provides numerous health benefits. Recently, much hype has been created over canola oil, labeling it the healthiest oil because of its high content of monosaturated fatty acids. Olive oil is far superior and has stood the test of time over centuries.

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