Hippocrates and other ancient physicians used olive oil to treat diseases. Modern scientific research has now proven these beneficial properties.

Die wetenskaplikes het ontdek dat die lae sterftesyfer as gevolg van hartsiektes in landelike Kreta te wyte was aan die hoë verbruik van olyfolie in teenstelling met ander lande wie se inwoners saadolies en dierevette verbruik. Ooreenstemmende navorsing het bewys dat olyfolie, as gevolg van sy mono-onversadigde oliesuur inhoud, die vlak van cholesterol in die bloed beheer deur die vlak van HDL lipoproteïen te verbeter, en gevolglik die metabolisme van hierdie stof, wat die hoofoorsaak van hartsiektes is.

Daarbenewens het die organoleptiese eienskappe van olyfolie maak dit maklik verteerbaar deur die liggaam en die mees geskikte vet vir eet met voordelige uitwerking op die maag.

Die Spaanse Interprofessionele olyfolie-organisasie supports experts and researchers in order to highlight the health-protective effect of olive oil on the human body. Spanish researchers, among them doctors, are seeking to make olive oil more known to the general public, as many people are not aware of the beneficial effects of olive oil. Through the campaign “For a Lifetime”, they differentiate the quality categories of olive oil, promote its uses in cooking and nutrition in general and want to convey to the Spanish population the advantages that they will have by following a Mediterreense dieet in which olive oil will be the main source of fats.

As they argue, a small percentage of people follow the Mediterranean Diet, so it is considered necessary to spread the scientific evidence that exists about the benefits of olive oil and how people with cardiovascular problems can be helped by its use. Specifically, from the CORDIOPREV study (2022) it appears that cardiovascular patients who follow a Mediterranean Diet rich in Ekstra fynfilteerde olyfolie have up to 30% less chance of their disease recurring compared to those who follow a healthy diet but low in “good” fats.

Olive oil is characterized as a “dietary jewel”, which lowers blood pressure, helps prevent diabetes, increases good cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol, conditions that are closely related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. In addition, it has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, which mitigates chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases, as well as cancer.

Selfs in sport is die effek van olyfolie belangrik omdat dit een van die beste vette is wat 'n mens kan inneem, met sy anti-inflammatoriese werking wat uithousport (fietsry, draf, ens.) sowel as kragsporte help.