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

Los científicos descubrieron que la baja tasa de muertes por enfermedades del corazón en las zonas rurales de Creta se debía al alto consumo de aceite de oliva en contraste con otros países cuyos residentes consumen aceites de semillas y grasas animales. La investigación correspondiente ha demostrado que el aceite de oliva, por su contenido en ácido oleico monoinsaturado, controla el nivel de colesterol en la sangre al mejorar el nivel de lipoproteína HDL y, en consecuencia, el metabolismo de esta sustancia, que es la principal causa de enfermedades del corazón.

además, el propiedades organolepticas del aceite de oliva que sea fácilmente digerible por el cuerpo y la grasa más adecuada para comer con efectos beneficiosos para el estómago.

El español Organización Interprofesional del Aceite de Oliva 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 Dieta mediterránea 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 aceite de oliva virgen extra 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.

Incluso en el deporte, el efecto del aceite de oliva es importante porque es una de las mejores grasas que se pueden consumir, con su acción antiinflamatoria favoreciendo los deportes de resistencia (ciclismo, footing, etc.) así como los deportes de fuerza.