Health Benefits of Olive Oil: Part I

Lucia October 15th, 2007

Does it seem to you that every morning television show and news broadcast has a resident doctor on staff now? Not that I get to watch much morning TV, but my mom keeps me informed. She flips from one channel to the other and is always telling me what Dr. So And So said. She says sometimes they just confuse the issue with so much advice.

The thing I notice about all this prevention information is that two areas are mentioned again and again. Exercise and diet. These are also the two things under most people’s control.

Now I’m not about to say anything about exercise other than I know I need to do more. But, I’m like most people. I work hard, and I find it difficult to fit it into my life on a consistent, regular basis. I try. I really do. Frankly, sometimes I’m just too tired when I finish the work day.

So I take comfort in the fact that every day I do something that is very good for my health. I eat olive oil. Sure. You’ve probably heard one or more of those talking heads say to use olive oil. If you haven’t made the switch yet, then listen up. It’s easy. It’s painless.

Most health advice that’s diet related consists of a list of all the delicious things you have to give up. Olive oil is one thing all the experts and the various diet gurus say to embrace and add to your eating life.

Let me, the self-appointed EVOO evangelist add my two cents about health benefits of olive oil. Like humorist Dave Barry says, “This is true, folks. I’m not making this up.”

There are two kind of hard words to remember: polyphenol and monounsaturated fat. These are in olive oil, and they’re what gives it the major health benefit.

Polyphenols are antioxidants in olive oil. Studies have shown they cause an increase in arterial elasticity. This is a very good thing. Researchers think long-term increased arterial elasticity reduces vascular stress so it reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack.

Monounsaturated fat is primarily oleic acid. This is the kind of fat in olive oil. Studies show that replacing the saturated fat in your diet with olive oil, and its special monounsaturated fat, helps reduce your risk of heart disease.

So olive oil has two major benefits for your heart in one tasty bottle. Now, tell me, how many things can you name that are delicious, satisfying, easy to cook with, easy to eat, and good for you?

I’ll think I’ll go take a nap now.

Sidebar: Garlic is another one of those awesome foods that adds to life in so many ways. Click this link to check out our garlic passion blog!

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