Olive Oil Nutrition Facts
Olive oil is a food that has been enjoyed for many centuries. Commonly referred to as “the healthiest fat on Earth,” olive oil has many unique properties that encourage good health.
Healthy Fat
Although fats in one’s diet is typically a controversial topic, the scientific and nutritionist community agree that olive oil is a healthy fat.
Olive oil has no carbohydrates and is 100% fat, making it perfect for those following the Ketogenic (Keto) diet.
Although consuming an ingredient with 100% fat sounds like it could be a bad thing, it is important to remember that olive oil is a healthy fat and provides the body the required fat content it needs. Consuming foods with healthy fat keeps your blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day and reduces cravings for nutrient-empty foods such as soda, cookies, and chips.
Vitamin E Rich
Olive oil is rich in Vitamin E, which supports nerve conduction and has been shown to increase immunity to disease. Additionally, the high monounsaturated fat content in olive oil has been shown to increase good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL).
Anti-inflammatory Properties
It is a common belief that chronic inflammation is a driver of many diseases — cancer, diabetes, arthritis, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s. A surplus of research has been done on olive oil, and it was found that a naturally-occurring, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory chemical exists within extra virgin olive oils. Coincidentally, death from cardiovascular disease is very low in the region around the Mediterranean sea, where extra virgin olive oil is a heavily consumed ingredient.
To conclude, olive oil has a myriad of health benefits, including:
- Helps reduce inflammation
- Improves LDL cholesterol
- Reduces HDL cholesterol
- Lowers blood pressure
In short, olive oil is really good for you.
When selecting olive oil, be sure to buy from a reputable seller to ensure your product hasn’t been diluted in order to get the best health benefits. To read more about olive oil authenticity and quality, check out these articles:
Olive Oil Can be a Scam, Make Sure You’re Getting the Good Stuff by Dave Gersghorn
Seven Ways to Tell if Your Olive Oil is Fake by Janet Rause Fuller
