5 Benefits Of Olive Oil: Improves Digestion, Boosts Heart Health, Reduces Cancer Risk

Olive oil typically comes in three types - refined, virgin and extra virgin. These are classified based on how processed they go through before being stored in bottles. Extra-virgin olive oil is supposed to be the best for health. Read on below to know about it’s benefits!

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants protects cells against damage from molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants also protect your body from inflammation. This helps you steer clear of many chronic diseases.

Consuming olive oil can be great for your heart health as it contains a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, which reduces chronic inflammation and and protects ‘bad’ LDL cholesterole from oxidation and strengthens blood vessels. Olive oil consumption also lowers blood pressure. High BP levels have been historically linked to heart failures.

A 2019 study found that regular consumption of olive oil may safeguard you against several types of cancer such as breast and colorectal cancer. As olive oil protects the body from oxidative stress and epigenetic changes, it may lower risk of a cancer diagnosis as well.

Consuming olive oil may also guard you against gastrointestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. A 2019 study found that the phenols existing in olive oil may boost ‘good’ microbes in the gut and therefore improve bowel health.

The oil contains oleic acid, which along with its phenolic compounds battle oxidative stress and insulin resistence that causes liver damage.