Key Points About the Mediterranean Diet & Extra Virgin Olive Oil
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Here's a few key points about olive oil and the Mediterranean diet:
• Central component: Extra Virgin Olive oil is a central element of the Mediterranean diet, used liberally in cooking and as a salad dressing.
• Healthy fats: The primary fat in olive oil is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) which is considered beneficial for heart health by lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels.
• Extra virgin preferred: The Mediterranean diet typically recommends extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) as it contains the highest concentration of antioxidants and beneficial compounds.
• Antioxidant power: Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains antioxidants like polyphenols which can help protect cells from damage and may have anti-inflammatory effects.
• Overall benefits: Including extra virgin olive oil as part of a Mediterranean diet has been linked to potential health advantages like reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, improved blood sugar control, and potential anti-cancer effects.
Check out these links for more information and to read the studies on the amazing Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/.../mediterranean.../art-20047801
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31817038/
[3] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9782563/
[4] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6949890/
[5] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/.../16037-mediterranean-diet
