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

科學家們發現，與居民食用種子油和動物脂肪的其他國家相比，克里特島農村地區的心髒病死亡率較低是由於橄欖油的大量消費。相應的研究證明，橄欖油由於其單不飽和油酸含量，可通過提高 HDL 脂蛋白的水平來控制血液中的膽固醇水平，從而控制這種物質的代謝，而這種物質是心髒病的主要原因。

除此之外 橄欖油的感官特性 使其易於被人體消化，是最適合食用的脂肪，對腸胃有益。

西班牙人 跨專業橄欖油組織 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 地中海飲食 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 特級初榨橄欖油 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.

即使在運動中，橄欖油的作用也很重要，因為它是人們可以食用的最好的脂肪之一，其抗炎作用有助於耐力運動（騎自行車、慢跑等）以及力量運動。