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

Forskerne opdagede, at den lave andel af dødsfald som følge af hjertesygdomme i det landlige Kreta skyldtes det høje forbrug af olivenolie i modsætning til andre lande, hvis indbyggere indtager frøolier og animalsk fedt. Tilsvarende forskning har bevist, at olivenolie på grund af dets indhold af enkeltumættede oliesyre kontrollerer niveauet af kolesterol i blodet ved at forbedre niveauet af HDL-lipoprotein og dermed stofskiftet af dette stof, som er hovedårsagen til hjertesygdomme.

Hertil kommer olivenolies organoleptiske egenskaber gøre det let fordøjeligt af kroppen og det bedst egnede fedt til at spise med gavnlig effekt på maven.

Det spanske Tværprofessionel olivenolieorganisation 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 Middelhavsdiæt 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 jomfru oliven olie 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.

Selv i sport er effekten af olivenolie vigtig, fordi det er et af de bedste fedtstoffer, man kan indtage, med sin anti-inflammatoriske virkning, der hjælper udholdenhedssport (cykling, jogging osv.) samt styrkesport.