Olive Oil a Powerful Antioxidant | Native Greeks Drink Olive Oil on its Own
Wherever Possible use Olive Oil as a Substitute for Animal Fats
Native Greeks have the reputation to drink Olive oil on its own
By Viola Woolcott
The impressive title “Mediterranean Miracle” is based on the findings of numerous studies, which have confirmed that a diet including Olive oil offers many health benefits.
In the prevention of several life threatening diseases for instance, Olive oil plays and important role. People, who live by the Mediterranean Sea, have much lower death rates from heart disease and certain cancers, as olive oil is one of the major constituents added to their daily diet. The native Greeks from the island of Crete have the reputation to drink Olive oil on its own, as well as having in their daily diet.
It is important to mention that those who follow a Mediterranean diet eat in fact as much fat as people from other countries. By following a Mediterranean diet, you get your “fat” calories generally from Olive oil, which is mainly made up of monounsaturated fat and which has the big advantage that it can lower blood cholesterol and it won’t reduce the health giving properties of HDL, the good type cholesterol (which helps prevent heart disease).
Research has shown that consuming as little as three ounces of Olive oil a day can significantly lower your blood pressure both systolic and diastolic. Even in those people eating a very high fat diet (where 40% of calories coming from fat) Olive oil can help in lowering their blood pressure.
Studies have shown that Olive oil can markedly lower blood glucose levels by regulating the body’s sugar levels. Diabetes sufferers who change their diet from a high carbohydrate and low fat diet to a high fat diet (50% of calories coming from fat) are able to lower their blood sugar levels to such a degree that they need less insulin.
Having powerful antioxidant characteristics, Olive oil helps to inhibit the process that produces the bad type cholesterol (LDL). Maybe that explains why Olive oil is so good at preventing heart attacks and because of its antioxidant capabilities can also play a part in inhibiting the development of cancer as well as many other diseases. Olive oil can even help slow down the ageing process.
As a substitute for animal fats, such as butter and lard it is wise to use olive oil wherever possible. The benefits of adding Olive oil into your daily diet cannot be overstated.
Related reading:
Olive Oil Baking: Healthy Recipes That Increase Good Cholesterol and Reduce Saturated Fats
Related article:
Olive Oil – A Definition of Standards and Health Benefits
Boosting olive oil intake can lower blood pressure in men, study finds
Diets rich in olive oil can help prevent cell damage that leads to cancer, study suggests
Filed under: Health and Diet on December 13th, 2007
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