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

Teadlased avastasid, et Kreeta maapiirkondade südamehaigustesse suremise madal määr oli tingitud oliiviõli suurest tarbimisest, erinevalt teistest riikidest, mille elanikud tarbivad seemneõlisid ja loomseid rasvu. Vastavad uuringud on tõestanud, et oliiviõli oma monoküllastumata oleiinhappe sisalduse tõttu kontrollib vere kolesteroolitaset, parandades HDL-lipoproteiinide taset ja järelikult ka selle aine ainevahetust, mis on südamehaiguste peamiseks põhjuseks.

Lisaks on oliiviõli organoleptilised omadused muuta see organismile kergesti seeditavaks ja toiduks sobivaimaks rasvaks, millel on kasulik mõju maole.

Hispaania Kutsealadevaheline oliiviõli organisatsioon 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 Vahemere 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 neitsioliiviõli 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.

Isegi spordis on oliiviõli mõju oluline, sest see on üks parimaid rasvu, mida saab tarbida, oma põletikuvastase toimega aidates nii vastupidavusspordialadel (rattasõit, jooksmine jne) kui ka jõuspordis.