| One of the most well-known vegetable oils, olive | | | | low-fat diet in controlling levels of cholesterol, as |
| oil, which is obtained from the fruit of the Olive | | | | their study findings portrayed; the cholesterol |
| tree that is traditionally found in the Mediterranean | | | | levels of the group studied while consuming olive |
| Basin, has been used since ancient years in | | | | oil was reduced by twenty points, whereas the |
| cooking, cosmetics, soaps, or even as a fuel of | | | | control group that followed a low-fat diet plan saw |
| traditional oil lamps. | | | | an average reduction of seventeen points in |
| Described as the "Mediterranean Miracle," olive oil | | | | cholesterol levels. In addition, widespread studies |
| has been regarded one of the most healthful | | | | have shown that consumption of olive oil can |
| dietary oils due to its high content of | | | | lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. |
| monounsaturated fat-mainly Oleic acid-and | | | | Tests have illustrated that, as little as three fluid |
| polyphenols. According to numerous studies, olive | | | | ounces of olive oil a day can significantly lower |
| oil has tremendous positive health outcomes when | | | | blood pressure. In fact, olive oil can even lower |
| daily included as part of a diet plan. In fact, the life | | | | the blood pressure of those people eating a high |
| expectancy rates of the countries around the | | | | fat diet -high fat being defined as forty percent |
| Mediterranean Sea have been found to be | | | | of calories coming from fat. Finally, additional |
| greater in comparison to other countries that do | | | | testing has concluded that olive oil can markedly |
| not use olive oil as part of their daily diet plan. | | | | lower blood glucose levels. This is especially crucial |
| Moreover, olive oil's ingredients, act as excellent | | | | for those fighting diabetes, since they are advised |
| prevention mechanisms for several life-threatening | | | | to switch from a high carbohydrate and low fat |
| diseases, as the lower death rates from heart | | | | diet to a high fat-around fifty percent of calories |
| disease and certain cancers illustrate. Interestingly, | | | | coming from fat-with most of that fat consumed |
| this is particularly true of the native Greeks from | | | | coming from olive oil. This type of diet has very |
| the island of Crete. As a Cretan I can attest that | | | | positive results for diabetics, as they can lower |
| the reputation of native Cretans drinking pure | | | | their blood sugar levels to such a degree that |
| olive oil as a health improving practice is true; | | | | they require less insulin intake. |
| although in fact a very small amount is consumed. | | | | Finally, one should know that olive oil has |
| But apart from Cretans, as the Mediterranean diet | | | | antioxidant characteristics that help inhibit the |
| has gained immense popularity, people deciding to | | | | process that produces LDL (the bad-type of |
| incorporate olive oil into their daily diet plans have | | | | cholesterol); this actually explains why olive oil |
| already begun to experience its beneficial results. | | | | considered a good heart attacks prevention |
| Since the fat that is included in the olive oil is in | | | | ingredient. Furthermore, olive oil's antioxidant |
| the form of monounsaturated fat, one of the | | | | capabilities can also inhibit the development of |
| major advantages of this fact is that olive oil can | | | | certain types of cancers among many other |
| lower blood cholesterol, without reducing the | | | | heath problems. Many support that it can even |
| health giving properties of HDL, or what is known | | | | slow down the ageing process. For these and |
| as the good-type of cholesterol. | | | | many more reasons your doctor will be able to |
| According to a recent study conducted in the | | | | describe, the benefits of incorporating olive oil into |
| Netherlands, researchers concluded that a high-fat | | | | your daily diet cannot be over-stated. |
| olive oil diet was far superior to an ordinary | | | | |