The volume of olive oil produced globally has tripled in the last six decades.
With the shifting consumer preferences, increasing consumer disposable income, and increased availability of olive oil on the market, consumption is expected to keep growing.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has already released a report that indicates an optimistic world production forecast of 3,300,000 tons in the 2021/2022 crop year.
This will be the highest production in the last four years.
According to the USDA, olive oil exports and consumption are also projected to reach record highs in the 2021/2022 campaign. Thanks to the increasing vegetable oil prices in the market and rising demand.
That sounds like a win-win situation for the market.
While olive oil is used across various industries, 90 percent of it is used in cooking and food preparation. There’s no secret that olive oil is tasty, satisfying, and versatile.
Not only does it add to the flavor of sauces, spices, and foods, but it’s beneficial to human health as well.
A Healthy Heart
If you’ve ever traveled to or lived in a country bordering the Mediterranean sea, you know olives are one of the traditional crops there.
People in this region consume what’s commonly referred to as the Mediterranean diet and have been found to have lower incidences of heart disease, stroke, and early death, than people who consume other diets.
Why is that? The simple answer is olive oil— which is a staple and the primary added fat in the diet. Depending on your individual health needs, there’s a good chance that following the Mediterranean diet can help you protect your heart health and increase your life expectancy.
The diet has since been labeled “the standard in preventive medicine.”
Healthy Skin
If missing that moisturizing session every week makes your skin feel dry, saggy, or tight, it may be time you started using olive oil. Applying olive oil to your skin has been shown to help keep it moisturized and prevent premature aging.
The oil’s antioxidant properties make it effective when it comes to protecting the human skin from harsh UV rays.
Therefore, you can use olive oil both as a moisturizing lotion and for treatment following sun exposure.
A Healthy Mind
According to a 2013 study, extra virgin olive oil has ingredients that can help not only reduce the risk of depression but also protect a person’s nervous system.
You probably didn’t know any food that you could take as an antidepressant.
Other studies have also suggested that consuming olive oil can prevent, slow down or even prevent Alzheimer’s disease from progressing.
What’s more, the oil can help improve learning and cognitive function in older people.
A Healthy Body
A recent study found that olive oil is packed with bioactive components that can help fight off oxidative stress, inflammation, and epigenetic changes in the body. And doing so may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
Other studies suggest that the oil can help prevent breast cancer as well.
A 2018 review concluded that the phenolic components in extra virgin oil can help prevent damage to the liver.
Additionally, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, like olive oil have been linked to a lower risk of diabetes.
For example, consider C60 olive oil, a solution that’s made by dissolving C60 in olive oil.
This solution boosts white blood cell count and can help fight off infections while offering anti-inflammatory properties.
Additionally, consuming olive oil (like other monounsaturated fats) can help you in your weight loss journey, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.
A Healthy Gut
The polyphenols in olive oil are full of antioxidants which have been shown to reduce inflammation and eliminate pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract.
This stimulates the growth of healthy microbes in the gut, thereby boosting intestinal immunity. You’ve heard them say “your gut is your second brand.” Generally, olive oil offers numerous health benefits and many studies prove it.
Whether you add the oil to your dishes, apply it on your face and skin, or eat the olives whole for medicinal purposes, you’re sure it’s beneficial to your body.
Image by Steve Buissinne from PixabayÂ
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