Olive Oil For A Healthy Brain

Many people are aware of some of the wonderful health benefits of olive oil

, but few realize that olive oil can also play an important role in brain health.

Part of the famous Mediterranean Diet, olive oil has long been of interest to researchers. Research has clearly shown that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of olive oil lower the risk of heart problems, while also protecting the digestive tract.

Additionally, research has also shown that olive oil can reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer. According to research conducted in the US, Belgium, Spain and Ireland, the risk of breast cancer and upper digestive tract cancer can be lessened by consuming as little as 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily.

As if these wonderful health benefits of olive oil are not enough, research has now pointed to the powerful contribution olive oil can make to brain health.

Researchers in France have now shown olive oil's ability to improve the cognitive functioning of the brain. A recent large-scale study of older adults demonstrated that people's visual memory and verbal fluency could actually be improved through regular use of olive oil.

In other research, animals whose brain function had been compromised by lack of oxygen were given olive oil. Adding olive oil to the diet of these animals had an amazing effect - It effectively offset a host of brain-related problems, including unbalanced nervous system activity and the ability of molecules to pass through the blood-brain barrier.

This amazing ability to protect the brain during times of imbalance and stress has great potential for brain health and is the subject of ongoing research.

In another very recent large and well-designed study, researches also found that olive oil had the ability to stave off strokes. A stroke is a potentially life-threatening medical crisis that results when the supply of blood to the brain is interrupted. Though people above the age of 65 are in the highest risk bracket, 25% of all strokes happen to people under this age. Strokes are no respecters of age, and children, too, can have strokes.

This rigorously conducted study involved in excess of 8000 individuals and had a 6 year follow up, thereby enabling results to be confirmed over a lengthy period of time.

The results astounded researchers. The researchers found that people who included plenty of olive oil in their diet had a whopping 41% lower risk of having a stroke than those who did not use olive oil at all!

The powerful health benefits of olive oil are derived mainly from its more than two dozen anti-infammatory compounds such as polyphenols. Olive oil has a high percentage of oleic acid -- a full 70% -- and this greatly aids the body to maintain a healthy balance of LDL and HDL cholesterol. Also, olive oil is abundant in anti-oxidants which have the ability to protect the body - and brain - from damage.

The finest olive oil to use if extra virgin olive oil. This type of oil is the unrefined oil extracted from the first pressing of the olives. Not only does it contain the highest degree of important compounds and healthy nutrients, but it also has the most delicate and delicious flavour.

If you really wish to maintain a healthy brain and maintain good health, then you really would be wise to invest in extra virgin olive oil.

by: Peter James Field

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