What diseases does olive oil help prevent?
We all know that extra virgin olive oil is the undisputed king of the Mediterranean diet. Its reputation is no coincidence: as well as being a delight for the palate, it helps us take care of ourselves from the inside. This is thanks to the nutrients in olive oil, which, once in our body, act like a protective shield against various diseases.
If you’re wondering which diseases olive oil can help prevent, you’ve come to the right place! In this article we’ll tell you what they are and why adding EVOO to your daily diet may be one of the best decisions you ever make.
Why is olive oil considered a functional food?
We call foods “functional” when, beyond their basic role of providing nutrients, they also offer additional health benefits. Is olive oil one of them? Absolutely.
This liquid gold contains natural antioxidants and healthy fats that significantly reduce oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, two key factors linked to many common diseases.
This largely explains the many health benefits of olive oil, but let’s take a closer look at which diseases it may help prevent.
Main diseases olive oil helps prevent
You might be surprised to learn just how much EVOO can positively influence your health – it’s amazing! These are some of the diseases olive oil helps prevent, backed by various scientific studies:
Healthy fats and cognitive function
To begin with, the brain is one of the big winners when it comes to regular olive oil consumption. This is mainly due to its content of monounsaturated fats and polyphenols.
What’s more, although it’s not a main source, it’s true that olive oil contains omega-3, an essential fatty acid that also supports brain health and improves concentration and memory.
Cardiovascular diseases
Another of olive oil’s best-known benefits is its role in cardiovascular prevention. It helps control cholesterol, lowers blood pressure and prevents the formation of plaques in the arteries. This means that people who consume it regularly have a lower risk of heart attacks and other heart problems.
Type 2 diabetes
Did you know that olive oil can help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes? Yes, that too! This is due to its ability to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation, two decisive factors in the onset of this disease. 
Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases
And when it comes to olive oil and health, this liquid also plays a key role in preventing Alzheimer’s and other diseases associated with brain ageing.
As we mentioned earlier, olive oil is especially valuable for the brain because of its powerful antioxidant action, which protects neurons from oxidative damage, improves neuroplasticity and supports memory and learning.
Certain types of cancer (colon, breast)
Several studies have already concluded that olive oil may reduce the risk of certain types of cancer, especially colon and breast cancer.
This is also due to its high antioxidant content and anti-inflammatory action, which help combat cancer cells in their early stages.
Arthritis and inflammatory diseases
In addition, thanks to its excellent anti-inflammatory properties, liquid gold is a wonderful ally for those who suffer from arthritis or chronic inflammatory diseases. Daily consumption helps these people relieve symptoms and prevent more serious flare-ups.
How does olive oil work in disease prevention?
The key to how olive oil works lies in its unique composition: it is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and vitamin E, and in healthy fats like oleic acid. It also supports our gut microbiota, thereby strengthening the immune system and helping keep all these diseases at bay.
Which type of olive oil is best for your health?
Of course, not all olive oils are the same. So which one can really help you prevent disease and look after your health?
The answer is simple: extra virgin olive oil. But before we go on, let’s briefly clarify what EVOO actually is: it’s the oil obtained exclusively by mechanical means and always cold-extracted, with no chemicals or refining. In other words, the purest and healthiest version of olive oil – exactly what you need to make the most of all its properties!
How much olive oil should I have per day to get these benefits?
So, how much olive oil a day do you need to consume to help prevent all the diseases we’ve mentioned? Experts recommend around 4 tablespoons a day, preferably raw, as part of a balanced diet.
And if, on top of using it in your everyday dishes, you also decide to take a spoonful of olive oil on an empty stomach, you can boost its beneficial effects on your body from first thing in the morning.
Adding olive oil to your diet can help you more than you think
As you’ve seen, liquid gold is a great ally for protecting and improving your health: it can reduce inflammation, strengthen your heart, support your brain and even help prevent serious diseases such as cancer.
If you want to harness the power of olive oil to prevent disease and start taking care of yourself today, we recommend choosing a premium, high-quality olive oil. Don’t know any? Then it’s time we told you about BelOleum, our EVOO from Aragón!
We produce this liquid gold in our family-run mill in the Campo de Belchite region, which is almost 150 years old. Our extra virgin olive oil is a gift for all five senses—but we’d rather you discover it yourself than take our word for it.
Try BelOleum EVOO and see for yourself how quality, health and flavour can go perfectly hand in hand!
Latest Posts on Olive Oil
Fasting olive oil: everything you need to know
5 gourmet homemade burger recipes
How to optimize olive nutrition?