Flowers are blossoming as the Japanese landscape is tinged with the pink hues of cherry trees, and a sense of re-birth spreads around during the most beautiful of seasons.
The perfect time to nurture one's body with a valuable health ally: European olive oil.
Research conducted at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, recently published in the Journal Of The American College of Cardiology and shared in the prestigious Italian journal Umberto Veronesi Foundation (a publication at the forefront of the fight against cancer) confirms the health benefits of olive oil.
"Using olive oil instead of other types of fat appears to reduce the risk of many diseases," according to research conducted by "a group of researchers, led by Dr Marta Guasch-Ferré," studying more than 60,000 women and 30,000 men who were healthy at the beginning of the study for 28 years.
The findings?
"Consumption of more than 7 grams of olive oil, equivalent to about 1 to 2 tablespoons per day, is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and lung disease."
A higher intake of olive oil, instead of margarine, butter, mayonnaise, and milk fat, is associated with a lower risk of mortality and, therefore, a significantly longer life expectancy.
Yet again, European olive oil is recognized as the perfect health ally. "Olive oil has traditionally been used as the main cooking and seasoning fat in Mediterranean countries and is a key component of the Mediterranean diet," recall the scientists who conducted the research. "Known for its health benefits, it has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent decades. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, especially oleic acid, and other minor components, including vitamin E and polyphenols, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant action"
Take care of yourself this spring by consuming European olive oil daily. Your body will blossom like a cherry tree in spring time in Japan.
Source:
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2022.02.044
15 March 2023
