Is olive oil healthier than other kinds of oil?

Question

I know some people who swear by it.

Answer 1

The beneficial effects of consuming olive oil are backed by lengthy, painstaking scientific research. Fats and oils have a common denominator in the energy value (9 calories per gram) but the metabolism of each different group differs greatly from the rest.

Olive oil contains a series of compounds that are very beneficial to most functions of the human body and its' biological and therapeutic value is related in many aspects to its chemical structure.

The first aspect is its triglyceride composition, made up of fatty acids. Olive oil has a prevalence of monounsaturates, oleic acid principally, while animal fats are fundamentally made up of saturated fatty acids and seed oils of polyunsaturates.

Monounsaturated fatty acids are much more stable. Olive oil also has a low percentage of polyunsaturates and this is important because these kind of fatty acids cannot be synthesized by the body.

The second aspect is in its minor components. The most salient ones are the tocopherols and polyphenols. These components have a major antioxidant function and are closely connected with virgin olive oils because refining processes alter and remove them.

Extra-virgin olive oil is the most digestible of the edible fats and:

it helps to assimilate vitamins A, D and K;
it contains essential acids that cannot be produced by our own
bodies;
it slows down the aging process;
it helps bile, liver and intestinal functions.

It is noteworthy that olive oil has a beneficial effect in the dietary treatment of diabetes. In addition it helps control blood pressure and increases the bone mass. It is believed that olive oil has a favorable effect on the development of the central nervous and vascular systems, in brain development as well as normal child
development.

The human body easily absorbs olive oil. This means that the body absorbs the good ingredients such as vitamin E and phenols, which have anti-oxidizing properties and prevent the oxidization of fatty tissue.

Olive oil is not only easy to digest but it also helps the digestion of other fatty substances because it helps the secretions of
the peptic system and stimulates the pancreatic enzyme lipace.

A major cause for the degeneration of the cells – and their eventual destruction – is the accumulation of free radicals, which are produced by the oxidization of the fatty tissues in the body. Vitamin E, phenols and other antioxidizing substances protect the human body from the negative effects of free radicals. Olive oil contains a high percentage of phenols and vitamin E and as a result helps delay the aging process.

Olive oil consumption has a very positive effect on blood cholesterol. Olive oil limits the oxidizing of bad cholesterol (cause of artillery skilorsus and heart disease) because it is rich in anti-oxidizing agents.

Answer 2

I know some people that put it on their skin instead of lotion! No joke!
Yes, It is the lightest, healthiest oil. It has a light taste, it digests easier than any others. It has vitamin content and extra virgin and extra light is low aciidic..It brings out the flavor of any food you cook with or even over a fresh salad..you cant beat it for almost every kind of food it tastes the best and is good for you too.
p.s anything with less fat works for me.

Answer 3

Olive oil is monosaturated and not likely to elevate you HDL or bad cholesterol I use olive oil instead of vegetable oil in browning meats

Answer 4

One of the very best healthy olive oils is the cold pressed virgin oil.

Answer 5

yeah it is generally a healthier oil to cook with than say vegetable oil.

Answer 6

yes it is--some consider it the healthiest