Extend the Olive Branch: How Adding Olive Oil to Your Diet May Keep Your Body at Peace

In a world of processed, engineered, and genetically modified foods, reading and actually understanding the nutritional components of your diet seems like it could require a degree in chemistry. Healthy fruits like strawberries (for example) are now coated in chemicals to deter pests. They are then mass produced meaning they will yield less nutritional value than a strawberry grown 50 years ago. The cost of “going organic” may be too much for some consumers. However, it seems that there aren’t many foods left that are not linked to a terrible condition or disease. One oil’s headlines are quite the opposite. This oil doesn’t cause these health issues, in fact, it has been shown to prevent them. Here’s how olive oil is making peace with our bodies.

The Mediterranean Diet: The basis of the Mediterranean diet acknowledges that not all fats are bad fats. Consistent to its name, the Mediterranean diet incorporates a cooking style similar to countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Fish and poultry is encouraged while red meat is consumed as special treat once or twice monthly. Butter is to be replaced with the healthy fats found in olive oil. Olive oil is packed with antioxidants which can help prevent diseases and inflammation which can cause cancer, heart disease obesity, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and other ailments. Of course, don’t forget the red wine!

Prevent Type 2 Diabetes: Typically, a low-fat diet would be recommended for a patient diagnosed with diabetes. However, it isn’t necessarily the amount of fat, more so, the type of fat consumed. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fats. In a study conducted by PREDIMED, patients who were placed on the Mediterranean diet showed a 52% decrease in diabetes-related incidence. They were also 7.9% less likely to develop diabetes when compared to participants placed on a strictly low-fat diet.

Reduce The Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease: Research from the University of Florence found that the polyphenols we intake when consuming extra virgin olive oil can help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease. When tested in mice, an 8-week supplement of extra virgin olive oil improved cognitive performance and memory performance.

To find out more about Texas Hill Country Olive Company, visit our website or give us a call at (512) 607-6512.