Olive oil is a superhero of modern times and the
centerpiece in the Mediterranean diet.
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| Olive oil is a superhero of modern days Image Credits |
For several
decades, scientists have studied the people of the Mediterranean region in order to discover the reason for the low incidence of severe
diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, in this region. What they
found was a new healthy diet and lifestyle.
The Mediterranean diet and high consumption
of olive oil are the reason behind
these figures. Olive oil is filled
with substances which are beneficial to our health. Although these substances
have been known for almost 3000years, people were not using olive oil
in the kitchen, it was used to cover their entire body as a protection from the
cold. It was the Greeks and Romans who introduced this product in our diet and reveal
its benefits to the entire world.
What are the benefits of olive oil?
Olive oil is a good fat, a fat that can and should be consumed
whenever we want, due to its richness in natural antioxidants and
anti-inflammatory properties. It also has a super-secret power (well, maybe not
so secret): thanks to the fatty acids, olive oil can prevent the transformation
of fat into cholesterol.
Besides
this superpower, olive oil
is also rich in omega 3 and vitamin E, essentials for the proper functioning of
the brain and heart. It helps to moisturize our skin, hair and nails while at
the same time protect us against osteoporosis.
The mediterranean region is responsible for
95 % of world oil production as the sun and dry climate of these countries are
favorable to the cultivation of olive trees. The world is begging to understand
olive oil’s benefits as the Mediterranean diet was, recently, classified
as a World Heritage and there are an increasing number of people trading the
saturated fat in a burger for a grilled fish with a golden drizzle of olive oil.
