virgin olive oil has several virtues, including containing compounds that help our health. A study by the University of Córdoba (UCO) at the Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research of Córdoba (IMIBIC) and the Reina Sofía University Hospital in Córdoba has revealed new benefits of virgin olive oil in our body.
Starting the day with this product streamlines the lining of the arteries, helping to prevent inflammation, which gives rise to possible cardiovascular problems in the future.
These studies seek to know the anti-inflammatory effects of virgin olive oil. To carry out this study, it was evaluated whether a diet rich in virgin olive oil reported more benefits for the body than one in which olive oil with a refined percentage was used.
Thanks to this study, a great difference could be observed between consuming virgin olive oil and refined oil. It was found that those who consumed virgin olive oil had more protected cells against inflammation.
“Inflammation is a reaction of the cell to a situation of oxidative stress. If it does not react to agents called reactive oxygen species, the cell runs the risk of dying, for which reason it triggers a series of defense mechanisms that lead it, in ultimately, to catch fire,” says Francisco Pérez Jiménez, a professor at the UCO. This inflammation is not very healthy, as it causes the cells in the arteries to swell, leading to possible heart problems such as atherosclerosis.
The researchers maintain that these studies are much better carried out in humans, since rats can achieve very good results in the laboratory but later this may or may not be transferred to human reality.
Phenolic compounds, in addition to having anti-inflammatory properties, also have antioxidant and antitumor properties. Researchers are very interested in knowing if these properties only act at the cellular level or if they can really help a whole digestive level.