ten benefits of olive oil
ten benefits of olive oil www. oliveoil-benefits.com 1 Thank you for downloading this e-book! That means you want to know more about olive oil and how beneficial it is. If you are interested in general information about olive oil, then you should know that its consumption should preferably be within a short period of time (within the year of production). Within this e-book, you are able to learn about the significant benefits olive oil has to offer and how using it may help improve both your health and well-being. We will present some of the many benefits of olive oil and its philosophy in our modern day lives. Our aim is to present as much information as possible on how useful olive oil is to our health and in what ways a balanced diet leads to a better life! The following information is based on several studies carried out by scientists and institutes, and is also combined with personal experiences and testimonials of people who use olive oil in their diets. Enjoy your reading! The team of “Philosophers’ ” οlive oil The present is for your information and does not offer medical advice in any way. It is given for free and it aims at familiarizing the reader with the uses of olive oil. Before using olive oil in any manner proposed by this e-book, we suggest that you ask a physician first. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 2 Contents The history of the olive oil.................................................................................. Olive Tree............................................................................................................. What’s the secret of olive oil .............................................................................. Olive oil and free radicals ................................................................................ 4 4 5 6 Olive oil and skin aging . ................................................................................... 7 Olive oil and healthy hair................................................................................... Olive oil and Alzheimer’s ................................................................................... Olive oil and cancer............................................................................................ Olive oil and strong bones . ............................................................................... Olive oil and depression .................................................................................... Mediterranean diet and Jesus............................................................................ Olive oil and philosophy...................................................................................... Philosophy and people........................................................................................ 8 9 10 10 11 12 13 14 Do you want to learn more?............................................................................... 15 www. oliveoil-benefits.com 3 History History The olive treetree is isaa blessed tree, which flourishes in Mediterranean The olive blessed tree, which flourishes mainly inmainly Mediterranean countries and countries and often under difficult climatic conditions. Olive trees were already often under difficult climatic conditions. Olive trees were already self-sowing when the self-sowing when the primitive man first discovered agriculture, that is at least primitive man first discovered agriculture, that is at least 5000 years ago. 5000 years ago. Olive trees producefruit fruit even even under under conditions of of drought, strong wind wind and very Olive trees produce conditions drought, strong andhigh very temperatures. Furthermore, the tree’s longevity and productivity has played a major in high temperatures. Furthermore, the tree’s longevity and productivity has role played therole formation the history ofof Mediterranean The olive tree, and the oliveThe oil, has a major in theof formation the historypeople. of Mediterranean people. olive tree, and olive oil, has healed, crowned It has been fed,the healed, crowned andfed, beautified people. It has and been beautified identified withpeople. high ideals and has identified with high ideals and has inspired the thriving –for thousands of years inspired the thriving –for thousands of years - ancient civilization of the Eastern ancientMediterranean, civilization of Eastern Mediterranean, and especially Ancient Greece. andthe especially Ancient Greece. The olive tree has become a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, abundance, peace, olive and tree has become a symbol of knowledge, wisdom, abundance, fertility,The power beauty and has been worshiped for many yearspeace, until fertility, today. It power and beauty andof hasabeen worshiped forinheritance, many years until today.included It forms aninintegral forms an integral part huge cultural being myths, part of a huge cultural inheritance, being included in myths, traditions and religious rituals traditions and religious rituals which were inextricably linked to flowering, harvestwere inextricably linked to flowering, harvesting and producing olive oil. ing andwhich producing olive oil. The olive The olivetree tree The official scientific name for the evergreen old-growth olive tree is Olea Europaea Sativa andscientific it is the typical of theolive Mediterranean climate. The official name for therepresentative evergreen old-growth tree is Olea Europaea Sativa Theand olive tree originates from Eastern Europe (Greece, Cyprus, Syria, and Palit is the typical representative of the Mediterranean climate. estine). It successfully adapts to hard conditions, such as long, dry and hot sumThe olive tree tolerate originates low fromtemperatures Eastern Europe up (Greece, Cyprus, Syria, andtrees Palestine). It mers, while it can to 0°C. Adult olive are mesuccessfully to hard conditions, as long, dry and hot summers, while it can dium height and adapts they are rarely over 10such metres. tolerate low temperatures up to 0°C.olive Adult olive are medium height andofthey are rarely In the Mediterranean countries, treestrees blossom at the end spring (from 10 metres. April toover May), while harvesting season begins late November and terminates in February in southern areas. In the Mediterranean countries, olive trees blossom at the end of spring (from April to May), while harvesting season begins late November and terminates in February in southern areas. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 4 What is the secret in olive oil that protects our heart from hypertension and cholesterol? What is the secret in olive oil that protects our heart from hypertension and cholesterol? Olive oil contains a variety of antioxidants, such as tocopherols, polyphenols and squalene, Olive contains ita contains variety of antioxidants, as tocopherols, polyphenols and and oil in addition, flavonoids, vitaminsuch E, pro-vitamin A, minerals and trace squalene, and in addition, it contains flavonoids, vitamin E, pro-vitamin A, minerelements. als and trace elements. According to research, 100 gr. of raw olive oil offers the correct amount of antioxidants our According body requires.to research, 100 gr. of raw olive oil offers the correct amount of an- tioxidants our body requires. Vegetable fat contains more polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids which are considered to be to themore humanpolyunsaturated body and cholesterol-free; unlike animal fat which Vegetable fatfriendly contains and monounsaturated fatty acids which arenumber considered to be friendly toand thecholesterol human body and cholesterol-free; contains a great of saturated fatty acids and poses a threat to the unlike animal fat which contains a great number of saturated fatty acids and chohealth of the heart and the overall body. lesterol and poses a threat to the health of the heart and the overall body. Based on the above mentioned, olive oil has strong antioxidants and therefore, protects our Based above mentioned, body fromon thethe effects of free radicals. olive oil has strong antioxidants and therefore, protects our body from the effects of free radicals. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 5 body from the effects of free radicals. What do free radicals cause; Free radicals can destroy the lipids of the cellular membranes opening the way for destruction of cells or even damage of the DNA molecules. LDL and HDL cholesterol. How does the olive oil help? It is known fact that there is a direct association between cholesterol and heart attacks. If you include factors such as hypertension, obesity and smoking, you could be posing a serious threat to the heart. The more antioxidant rich food we consume, the lower the level of oxidized LDL cholesterol into our blood. Olive oil contains over 600 polyphenols. Most of them act in an antioxidant manner so they protect the fatty acids of LDL-cholesterol from getting oxidized. As a result, LDL-choresterol becomes less atherogenic and does not create atheromas into the coronary vessels. It prevents heart attacks and helps the heart function well. There is evidence that by consuming olive oil and following a Mediterranean diet, it will contribute to lowering blood pressure. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 6 Olive oil and skin aging Olive oil and skin aging Research suggests that olive oil is a powerful ally in the battle against skin aging. In fact, those who consumed lower amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids weresuggests more likely to face fatty are Research that olive oil is aphoto-aging. powerful ally inMonounsaturated the battle against skin aging.acids In fact, found highly concentrated levelsof in olive oil. thoseinwho consumed lower amounts monounsaturated fatty acids were more likely to face photo-aging. Monounsaturated fatty acids are found in highly concentrated levels in People who have been consuming olive oil (and not animal fats) present the olive oil. most visible signs and this, in turn, proves the link between monounsaturated fatty acids (contained olive oil) and olive goodoilhealth. People who haveinbeen consuming (and not animal fats) present the most visible signs and this, in turn, proves the link between monounsaturated fatty acids (contained in Those who consume plenty of olive oil display less wrinkles or skin discolorolive oil) and good health. ation and their skin is less loosened while also appearing younger. Those who consume plenty of olive oil display less wrinkles or skin discoloration and their Among several theories which are trying to explain skin aging, the theory of skin is lessthe loosened while also appearing younger. free radicals is the most popular because there are experimental facts supporting it. Among Despite scientific theskin fact that antioxidants thebeing severalunder theories which areevaluation, trying to explain aging, theolive theoryoil of free radicals can suspend the formation of free radicals isfacts probably a factor thatbeing delays skin is the most popular because there are experimental supporting it. Despite under aging. scientific evaluation, the fact that olive oil antioxidants can suspend the formation of free radicals is probably a factor that delays skin aging. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 7 A technique for healthy hair A technique for healthy hair Olive oil is the basic ingredient in the Mediterranean diet and apart from its rich nutritional value, it is also a great beauty secret! It can perfectly assist dry and damaged hair gain shine and brightness. Putting olive oilin onto ourMediterranean hair is a natural treatment to help strengthen Olive oil is the basic ingredient the diet and apartit,from its rich make it lustrous and keep it healthy. nutritional value, it is also a great beauty secret! It can perfectly assist dry and damaged hair brightness. Putting olive and oiltechniques onto our hair is a natMostgain womenshine and menand damage their hair by using several products but the solution to achieve its healthiness is quite simple and often right in front of our eyes. The ural treatment to help strengthen it, make it lustrous and keep it healthy. use of olive oil is, in fact, a natural and nutritive treatment. By following these three simple Most women and men damage their hair by using several products and techsteps, one’s hair will look soft, shiny and above all healthy. niques but the solution to achieve its healthiness is quite simple and often right First step: TakeThe two tablespoons olive oil. in front of our eyes. use of of olive oil is, in fact, a natural and nutritive treatment. By following three simpleandsteps, hair willMassage lookthe soft, Second step: these Heat up the oil to lukewarm apply it toone’s your scalp and hair. oil shiny and above all healthy. generously and then wrap your hair in a towel for thirty minutes. Third step: When done, wash your hair thoroughly with cold water (to prevent hair from First step:damage Takeandtwo ofshampoo olive itoil. offertablespoons great shine) and then using a light shampoo. Second step: Heat up the oil to lukewarm and apply it to your scalp and hair. Finally, it would be ideal if you let your hair dry naturally and avoid blow drying. Massage the oil generously and then wrap your hair in a towel for thirty minutes. If you follow these stepswash and apply this therapy, you will soon notice thatcold your hair looks (to prevent Third step: When done, your hair thoroughly with water different and that your scalp is less dry. Once again nature has provided us with all the hair from damage and offer great shine) and then shampoo it using a light shamnecessary materials to take care of ourselves and look beautiful. Not only do we see our hair poo. look completely different, we also enjoy the process of trying natural products. Finally, it would be ideal if you let your hair dry naturally and avoid blow drying. If you follow thesethat steps and We guarantee your hair will apply be soft andthis shiny!therapy, you will soon notice that your hair looks different and that your scalp is less dry. Once again nature has provided us with all the necessary materials to take care of ourselves and look beautiful. Not only do we see our hair look completely different, we also enjoy the process of trying natural products. We guarantee that your hair will be soft and shiny! www. oliveoil-benefits.com 8 Olive oil and Alzheimer’s Olive oil and Alzheimer’s There is something more in olive oil that plays an important role to our mental health and There is function. something more in olive oil that plays an important role to our mental good brain health and good brain function. A new research carried out in the USA has shown that olive oil can also protect people from A new research carried out to in the USA hascalled shown that olive which oil canprevents also protect getting Alzheimer’s disease thanks a substance oleocanthal, neural people from getting Alzheimer’s disease thanks to a substance called oleocanthal, cells from forming amyloid plaques. which prevents neural cells from forming amyloid plaques. Scientists from the University of Louisiana have studied the effect of oleocanthal on cultured Scientists from the University of Louisiana have studied the effect of oleocanthal neural nerves from mice whichfrom weremice given this specific substance from extra virgin olive oil on cultured neural nerves which were given this specific substance from twice a day for two extra virgin oliveweeks. oil twice a day for two weeks. What was the result? What was the result? Oleocanthal contributed in the increase of the protein and enzyme production which are Oleocanthal contributed the increase the beta-amyloid protein and from enzyme necessary in order for theinbody to send of away theproduction brain. The which are necessary in order for theisbody to sendsign away beta-amyloid from the accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain an important of Alzheimer’s disease. brain. The accumulation of beta-amyloid in the brain is an important sign of Alzheimer’stodisease. According the scientists’ report, published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience Magazine, it is easy to explain Alzheimer’s low rates in the Mediterranean countries where olive oil According to the scientists’ report, published in ACS Chemical Neuroscience dominates in the diet menus combined with a Mediterranean diet from an early age. Magazine, it is easy to explain Alzheimer’s low rates in the Mediterranean countries where olive oil dominates in the diet menus combined with a Mediterranean diet from an early age. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 9 Olive and cancer Olive oiloiland cancer According to the recent research of Dr. D. Trichopoulos (Harvard School of Public Health), According to the recent research of Dr. D. Trichopoulos (Harvard School of Pubwomen who consume oliveconsume oil more than a daythan are 25% likelyare to get breast lic Health), women who olive once oil more onceless a day 25% less cancer likely compared with other women who rarely consume olive oil. to get breast cancer compared with other women who rarely consume olive oil. For example, in the Mediterranean, where people consume an abundance of For example, in the Mediterranean, where people consume anas abundance of oliveovarian oil, there olive oil, there appears to be lower rates of cancer, such breast cancer, cancer to and appears be endometrial lower rates ofcancer. cancer, such as breast cancer, ovarian cancer and endometrial This anticancer effect is due to the antioxidant phenols and the monouncancer. saturated fatty acids. They protect the cell’s DNA from oxidation damage in the anticancer metabolism, which cantocause cancer. phenols and the monounsaturated fatty This effect is due the antioxidant acids. They protect the cell’s DNA from oxidation damage in the metabolism, which can cause cancer. Oil olive and strong bones A new research published in Oil theolive Journal of Clinical and strong bones Endocrinology and Metabolism of the American Endocrinologists Association shows that an olive oil-based AMediterranean new research published in the Journal of ClinicalofEndocrinology and Metabolism of the diet contributes in the increase serum Osteocalcin, which protects the bones. American Endocrinologists Association shows that an olive oil-based Mediterranean diet Other also support this finding. Inwhich fact,protects they show lower rates of osteocontributesstudies in the increase of serum Osteocalcin, the bones. porosis in the European South, where greater of of olive oil. Other studies also support thispeople finding.consume In fact, they show quantity lower rates osteoporosis in the “The contribution of olive oil in the prevention of osteoporosis is also proven European South, where people consume greater quantity of olive oil. through experimental models and in vitro”, explains Dr. José Manuel FernándezReal,contribution Doctor in the Hospital Girona, Spainofand principal isauthor of the through above “The of olive oil inofthe prevention osteoporosis also proven study. experimental andthat in vitro”, Dr. José Manuel Fernández-Real, Doctor indiet the The studymodels showed after explains two years, an olive oil-based Mediterranean Hospital of Girona, Spainofand principal author the above study. increased the levels osteocalcin and of other factors of bone development, and preserved the levels of serum calcium and insulin emission. The study showed that after two years, an olive oil-based Mediterranean diet increased the levels of osteocalcin and other factors of bone development, and preserved the levels of serum calcium and insulin emission. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 10 OliveOlive oiloiland depression and depression According to when people eat plenty of trans-fat (saturated),(saturated), they damagethey According tonew newresearch, research, when people eat plenty of trans-fat not only their hearts but hearts also theirbut mental On the contrary, unsaturated fat, likeunsatolive damage not only their alsohealth. their mental health. On the contrary, oil, fights urated fat,depression. like olive oil, fights depression. Specialists fromfrom Navarra University in Spain in and the University of Las Palmas thePalmas Canary Specialists Navarra University Spain and the University of inLas under Islands the direction Almudena Sánchez-Villegas, Associate Professor of inIslands the Canary under of theDrdirection of Dr Almudena Sanchez-Villegas, Associate Professor of Preventive Medicine at Palmas, the University of Las discovered Preventive Medicine at the University of Las discovered that Palmas, some Mediterranean that some foods such asfatty oliveacids oil are rich reduce in omega-9 acids foods suchMediterranean as olive oil are rich in omega-9 and may risk of fatty depression. and may reduce risk of depression. Their study was published in the Scientific Their study was published in the Scientific Journal PLoS One. Journal PLoS One. It appeared that people who frequently ate mass-produced pastries and fast-food rich in It appeared whooffrequently mass-produced trans-fats, had athat 48% people higher risk developing ate depression than otherspastries who didand not. fastThe food rich in trans-fats, had a 48% higher risk of developing depression than others researchers found that the more trans-fats consumed, the worse people’s mental state who did not. The researchers found that the more trans-fats consumed, the would get. worse people’s mental state would get. Moreover, they discovered that polyunsaturated fats, for example in fish and vegetable oils Moreover, they discovered that polyunsaturated fats, for example in fish and such as olive oil, “are associated with a lower risk of suffering depression." vegetable oils such as olive oil, “are associated with a lower risk of suffering depression.” This research indicates that about 150 million suffer from depression worldwide and that in certain countries, like the US and Northern Europe in contrast to Mediterranean European This research indicates that about 150 million suffer from depression worldcountries, people prefer tocountries, consume unhealthy saturated and trans-fats, in meats, wide and that in certain like the US and Northern Europefound in contrast to butter, mass-produced pastries and fast food. Mediterranean European countries, people prefer to consume unhealthy saturated and trans-fats, found in meats, butter, mass-produced pastries and fast food. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 11 butter, mass-produced pastries and fast food. Jesus Christ and the Mediterranean diet Have you ever wondered what the eating habits were in the time of Jesus? What did people eat in the 1st century? The Bible provides a lot of nutritional facts of people’s habits in those days. Many modern nutritionists from all over the world have studied the New Testament, analyzed the foods that were consumed in the time of Jesus and have tried to explain why people were not obese, what they ate and how they managed to have fat-free bodies. It is a fact that our health is growing worse over the years and this is due to our poor eating habits. Obesity has become an epidemic disease especially in developed countries. The American nutritionist, Don Colbert, explains that Jesus consumed a lot of natural foods (most likely unprocessed) which included a great deal of vegetables and legumes such as beans and lentils. Also, it probably would have included whole wheat bread, lots of fruit, water and red wine. But did he eat any red meat? According to the Bible, Jesus would have been consuming meat during special occasions. The Professor of Theology at the University of Oxford studied the holy text for years to learn all about the eating habits of the 1st century. He claims that in the Mediterranean basin, people’s eating habits are more or less the same today as it were back then and they represent what we call the Mediterranean diet. For this reason, people in those days were healthy, with no cholesterol-related issues and, within the vast majority, had no traces of fat on their bodies. In conclusion, we could say that people during the time of Jesus took care of their diet by eating healthy and moderate meals. Their diet was richly based on olive oil, fish, vegetables and fruit. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 12 Philosophers and Olive oil Philosophers and Olive oil Since olive oil originates from the Eastern Mediterranean area, it has been a basic nutritional element for Mediterranean people ever since antiquity. The ancient philosophers included many and important references to olive oil in their texts. Since olive oil originates from the Eastern Mediterranean area, it has been a basic Its healing were first mentioned by Hippocrates, the father of modern Medicine. nutritional element forproperties Mediterranean people ever since antiquity. In fact, Hippocrates refers to olive oil as the Great Therapeutic. Ancient Greek philosophers, such as Dioscorides, Diocles, Anaxagoras and Empedocles, studied the pharmaceutical The ancient philosophers included many and important references to olive oil in properties of olive oil and its historical importance as a nutritious source of health. Homer their texts. called olive oil liquid gold because most ancient Greeks made livings from the cultivation of the tree and the many uses of the olive. Aristotle discovered the science of olive oil production, while Solon, the great Athenian lawmaker, passed a law according to which it Its healing properties were first mentioned by Hippocrates, the father of modwas not allowed to cut more than two olive trees a year from the olive groves of Athens. ern Medicine. In fact, Hippocrates refers to olive oil as the Great Therapeutic. AnIn addition, the Romans, for example Marcus Aurelius, Vergil and others, used to consume cient Greek philosophers, such as Dioscorides, Diocles, Anaxagoras and Empedoolive oil. In the subsequent years, it was eaten in Florence by Galileo, Leonardo Da Vinci, cles, studied theFibonacci pharmaceutical ofolive olive its historical imporand others. We can properties easily conclude that oil wasoil partand of the Mediterranean tance as a nutritious source of health. diet of people who influenced philosophyHomer worldwide.called olive oil liquid gold because most ancient Greeks made livings from the cultivation of the tree and the many Taking into consideration several studies which support that olive oil boosts brain health, it uses of the olive.is also Aristotle discovered the science of quests oliveof oil production, while Sopossible that it has contributed in the philosophical people living in these areas and therefore it may have brought forth prominent politician artists. it was not lon, the great Athenian lawmaker, passed a lawphilosophers, according toandwhich allowed to cut more than two olive trees a year from the olive groves of Athens. In addition, the Romans, for example Marcus Aurelius, Vergil and others, used to consume olive oil. In the subsequent years, it was eaten in Florence by Galileo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Fibonacci and others. We can easily conclude that olive oil was part of the Mediterranean diet of people who influenced philosophy worldwide. Taking into consideration several studies which support that olive oil boosts brain health, it is also possible that it has contributed in the philosophical quests of people living in these areas and therefore it may have brought forth prominent philosophers, politician and artists. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 13 About us and our philosophy Philosophy is our inspiration. Everything we create is in harmony with the principles of Philosophy. Our fundamental values are: the process of thought, the respect to nature, gratitude, love, sense, happiness and joy. Our points of reference are: Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, Marcus Aurelius, Immanuel Kant, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and so many others who have influenced the way people think all over the world. You can find us in eastern Peloponnese, in Korinthos city. Korinthos is a mythical city where well-known ancient philosophers have taught. We are the Athanasakos family and our tradition and knowledge on cultivating olive trees exceeds 200 years. In co-operation with the best agronomists and applying the most sophisticated methods of production and bottling, we create our own extra virgin olive oil, the “philosophers’ ”. The production of the olive oil is performed in such a natural way so that it may keep all of its precious ingredients which are so beneficial to the human body. Our olive oil stands out because of its soft and mellow flavor. Our vision is to produce an exceptional nutritional product and offer it to the international markets. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 14 Do you want to know more; If you have enjoyed what you have read so far and would like to try olive oil, perhaps you may be interested in purchasing “Philosophers’ ” extra virgin olive oil. “Philosophers’ ” extra virgin olive oil: • has the best characteristics an olive oil could offer, • is biological and certified by DIO, the Greek Certification Body for biological products, • offers all the nutritional value of the olive oil and contributes to a healthy diet, and • has a soft and mellow flavor. “Philosophers” olive oil is produced under strict conditions and the best standards so as to ensure the highest quality of olive oil. Our know-how in cultivation combined to the production location, gives you the opportunity to consume olive oil from the same places where oil was produced 2500 years ago. Click here for more information. Finally, we would like to thank you for downloading and reading this brief ebook. We hope that what you have read will improve your eating habits and create the conditions for better health and well-being. Note: We are not expert nutritionists or physicians. The content of this e-book is strictly informative. www. oliveoil-benefits.com 15
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