Food High Five – Five Reasons Olive Oil Is Good For You

Every week, for our ‘Food High Five’ series, we talk about certain foods that have great health benefits. This week, we’re looking at olive oil. As with everything, moderation is key. You only need a little bit of olive oil (which is quite high in calories) to reap the health rewards. Rich in antioxidants Olive oil is rich in antioxidants which boosts your mood and eases stress. Due to this fact, it is said to lower the risk of depression. Good for the heart Due to the fact that it helps to keep cholesterol and blood pressure levels in check, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular diseases including stroke. Lowers risk of cancer and diabetes As well as cardiovascular diseases, olive oil is believed to reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes as well as certain forms of cancer including breast and skin. Good for weight loss While olive oil is high in terms of calories, it does have a place in a healthy diet because of the fact that it reduces the risk of so many conditions and diseases which can affect your weight. Strengthens bones Those that incorporate olive oil into their diets have stronger bones in terms of mineralization and calcification which means they are less likely to develop osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.