(photo: visitportoandnorth)
Hippocrates, the Father of western Medicine, researched on and wrote about the significant health benefits of olive oil and named it “the great therapeutic”.
Nowadays, olive oil constitutes the elixir of life, the most important ingredient to human health and body, according to evidence provided by long-lasting research and clinical studies.
According to the International Olive Council (IOC):
- Olive oil contributes to the prevention of heart diseases, as its high content of antioxidants lowers the levels of total blood cholesterol (LDL) - “bad cholesterol” - while at the same time, it does not alter - in cases it might even raise - the levels of HDL-cholesterol (“good cholesterol”).
- It exerts a protective effect against certain malignant tumours (breast cancer, endometrial cancer, cancer of the digestive tract, prostate cancer etc.).
- It contributes to the reduction of blood pressure (both high and low blood pressure).
- There are also serious indications that it contributes to the prevention or delay of the onset of diabetes.
- Regardless of the fact that olive oil is a key component of a high-fat diet and one might think that it would lead to obesity, it rather leads to a greater and longer-lasting weight loss than a low-fat diet.
- A diet rich in olive oil bolsters the immune system against external attacks from microorganisms, bacteria or viruses.
- Olive oil contributes to the lowering of the risk of suffering rheumatoid arthritis.
- It bolsters the good function of the entire digestive system.
- It plays a key role in foetal development during pregnancy and a shortage may have pernicious effects on the baby's subsequent development.
It has been demonstrated that the post-natal development of babies of mothers who consumed olive oil when pregnant is better in terms of height, weight, behaviour and psychomotor reflexes.
- Olive oil maintains the levels of vitamin E during breast feeding.
- It slows down cellular ageing and has a positive biological role in extending life expectancy.
- It is a great source of protection for the skin and it makes a good aid in preventing skin disorders, such as acne, psoriasis and eczemas.
