posted by PHILEOS EVOO on September 19, 2022
My ancestors the ancient Greeks were on to something when it came to Olive Oil. It is no coincidence that the Greeks refer to olive oil as "Liquid Gold". This phrase was coined by Homer the legendary author of the Illiad and Odyssey. Hippocrates who was known as the "father of medicine" called it “the great healer” and Galen the Greek physician from the Roman Empire praised it for its positive effects on health.
Recent studies by two of the world's most respected health institutions - Mayo Clinic and Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health have concluded that consuming Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) has numerous health benefits and leads to reduced premature death.
According to Harvard's findings, "people in the highest category of olive oil consumption (more than seven grams per day) had 19% lower risk of total and cardiovascular disease mortality, 17% lower risk of cancer mortality, 29% lower risk of neurodegenerative mortality, and 18% lower risk of respiratory mortality, compared with those who never or rarely consumed olive oil."
Additional benefits in the consumption of extra virgin olive oil include reducing the risk of stroke, providing an excellent source of antioxidants, eliminating harmful bacteria in the stomach, aiding in weight control and digestion, improving brain function and reducing risk of diabetes.
I want to stress that not all olive oils are created equally. When consuming olive oil for health benefits you should ALWAYS choose extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) such as the award winning Phileos rather than refined oil. This high-quality olive oil contains higher amounts of healthy fats and antioxidants when compared to refined olive oils (low quality oils found in local supermarkets) and thus will provide the most health benefits. For even better results, buy from reputable brands who are transparent about when, where and how their olive oil is harvested and also provide a harvest date so you can make sure to consume the olive oil before it passes its peak.
So, what are you waiting for? Consumers should incorporate Extra Virgin Olive Oil into their daily diets not only for its wonderful taste, but for the numerous health benefits it provides!
Olive oil's many different health benefits explained more in depth:
- Cardiovascular health: Extra virgin olive oil contains two types of healthy fats, monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat, both of which help reduce bad cholesterol levels and, in turn, lower the risk of heart disease and strokes.
- Digestive health: Olive oil lubricates the intestinal tract and may also help reduce the production of gastric acid.
- Inflammation relief: Extra virgin olive oil contains oleocanthal, an antioxidant with significant anti-inflammatory properties.
- Blood sugar stabilization: Olive oil can help reduce glycemic response to high-glycemic foods, which, in turn, can help manage Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
- Healthy skin and hair: Extra virgin olive oil is high in both vitamin E and vitamin K, both of which are essential for maintaining healthy skin and hair.
- Constipation relief: Consuming olive oil may help soften stool and relieve constipation.
