One of the first crops cultivated in the world, the olive produces an excellent oil that has been treasured since antiquity for its rich flavor and versatile uses. In recent years, olive oil has become increasingly popular in global cuisine.
New research has focused a considerable amount of attention on how extra-virgin olive oil can provide significant health benefits. Studies indicate that olive oil may provide important nutritional support in the fight against such health problems as arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, and in pain management. An exciting study from Spain has shown that higher olive oil consumption is associated with leaner body weight.
This demonstrates the importance of including the right types of healthy fats in an effective weight loss program, and why we use extra virgin olive oil in many recipes of our book The Fat Resistance Diet.
Powerful Health Benefits
Recent research has identified the antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is only found in extra-virgin olive oil. Oleocanthal is a natural inflammation fighting compound with potency strikingly similar to that of the drug ibuprofen in inhibiting an enzyme that causes pain and inflammation. Studies have shown that people with arthritis experience a decrease in pain and stiffness of their joints when treated with fish oil. Even better pain management results have been observed when, in addition to fish oil, extra-virgin olive oil is part of the diet.
The health benefits of olive oil are substantial.
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SOURCE: CBN - Leo & Jonathan Galland
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