| Types of olive oil, usage and storage | | | | Mediterranean populations, in particular on Spanish |
| It is important to know your different types of | | | | and Greek women to determine the incidence of |
| oils. | | | | breast cancer. One Spanish study showed 70% |
| - "Extra-virgin" - comes from the first pressing of | | | | less breast cancer for women who were |
| the olives, is the least processed and has the | | | | frequent consumers of the oil. Similarly one Greek |
| most delicate flavor | | | | study showed 25% less breast cancer. |
| - "Virgin" - comes from the second pressing and | | | | The breast cancer rates amongst the women in |
| is more processed | | | | Mediterranean countries where olive oil is |
| - "Pure" - a misnomer, undergoes processing such | | | | consumed frequently compare very favorably |
| as filtering and refining, is less pure than "virgin" | | | | with the rest of Europe and the United States. |
| and "extra-virgin" | | | | It is thought that the oleic acid present in the oil |
| - "Extra light" - has the most processing | | | | may be partly responsible for its protective |
| The term "cold pressed" means that minimal | | | | effect against breast cancer. |
| heating was used when mechanically processing | | | | Fat burning |
| the olives to make the oil. | | | | Additional support for olive oil's fat burning effects |
| It is better to enjoy olive oil with very little or no | | | | comes from another study published in the British |
| heating to preserve the unique nutrients it | | | | Journal of Nutrition, which suggests that the |
| possesses, especially polyphenols. As prolonged | | | | monounsaturated fats found in the oil cause an |
| storage can degrade some of the oil's nutrients it | | | | increase in the breakdown of fats in fat cells. |
| is best to source locally produced oil rather than | | | | A diet rich in monounsaturated fat from the oil |
| imported. Store away from light and heat | | | | and nuts will not only reduce LDL cholesterol levels |
| (especially not near the stove). | | | | but also improve your sensitivity to insulin, lower |
| Hypertension (high blood pressure) | | | | your blood sugar, and help prevent fat from |
| One study provides preliminary evidence that | | | | collecting around your middle. In contrast |
| whilst olive oil may not significantly affect blood | | | | researchers have found that high carbohydrate |
| pressure in people with normal blood pressure it | | | | diets increase abdominal fat. |
| may have at least some beneficial effects in | | | | Osteoporosis and bone loss |
| patients with high blood pressure. | | | | Two olive polyphenols, oleuropin and |
| One possible reason for this happening is its | | | | hydroxytyrosol, greatly lessen the |
| polyphenol content. Polyphenols are potent | | | | inflammation-mediated bone loss involved in |
| antioxidants which help arteries dilate, thereby | | | | osteoporosis. |
| reducing blood pressure. | | | | Asthma & Anti-Inflammatory |
| By reducing both inflammation and free radical | | | | By reducing inflammation, the monounsaturated |
| damage to cholesterol, dietary olive oil protects | | | | fats contained in olive oil can help reduce the |
| the endothelium, the lining of our blood vessels, | | | | severity of arthritis symptoms, and may be able |
| helping to maintain its ability to relax and dilate | | | | to prevent or reduce the severity of asthma. |
| (thus preventing high blood pressure). | | | | Gastric ulcers |
| Cancers | | | | In a Russian study, when patients with gastric and |
| Constituents of olive oil, such as flavonoids, | | | | duodenal ulcers replaced the animal fat in their diet |
| squalene and polyphenols, may help to protect | | | | with olive oil, ulcer size was greatly reduced and |
| against cancer. Flavonoids and polyphenols are | | | | the percentage of ulcer healing significantly |
| antioxidants, which help prevent cell damage from | | | | increased |
| oxygen-containing chemicals called free radicals. | | | | Alternative Uses |
| Colon cancer | | | | Many other modern uses have been found for |
| It is suspected that the oil protects against bowel | | | | olive oil including but not limited to: upset stomach; |
| cancer by influencing the metabolism of the gut. | | | | constipation; skin care; hair care; nail care; |
| Researchers think it cuts the amount of a | | | | massaging muscles; olive tree leaf tea for |
| substance called deoxycyclic acid and regulates | | | | lowering blood pressure; and nasal congestion. |
| the enzyme diamine oxidase which may be linked | | | | It is not recommended that these alternative |
| to cell division in the bowel. Phenolic compounds in | | | | methods be used on children. |
| virgin olive oil protect against several stages of | | | | In ancient times there were even more uses of |
| colon cancer development as shown by research | | | | the oil such as: counteracting poisons; treating |
| published in the International Journal of Cancer. | | | | open wounds; treating insect bites; headaches; as |
| Breast cancer | | | | soap; moisturizing the skin; as a protective layer |
| Several studies have been carried out on | | | | on the skin against dirt and the sun. |