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

Os cientistas descobriram que a baixa taxa de mortes por doenças cardíacas na Creta rural era devido ao alto consumo de azeite de oliva, em contraste com outros países cujos moradores consomem óleos de sementes e gorduras animais. Pesquisas correspondentes provaram que o azeite de oliva, devido ao seu conteúdo de ácido oleico monoinsaturado, controla o nível de colesterol no sangue, melhorando o nível de lipoproteína HDL e, consequentemente, o metabolismo dessa substância, que é a principal causa de doenças cardíacas.

Além disso, o propriedades organolépticas do azeite de oliva torná-lo facilmente digerível pelo corpo e a gordura mais adequada para consumo com efeitos benéficos no estômago.

O espanhol Organização Interprofissional do Azeite 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 Mediterrânica 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 azeite de oliva extra virgem 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.

Mesmo nos esportes, o efeito do azeite de oliva é importante porque é uma das melhores gorduras que se pode consumir, com sua ação anti-inflamatória auxiliando em esportes de resistência (ciclismo, corrida, etc.) e também em esportes de força.