Olive oil has been enjoyed in the Mediterannean countries for thousands of years. For many of the locals where the olive is cultivated, it is an essential ingredient and will always be found in their kitchen.
For years now, it has been widely proclaimed that olive oil is extremely beneficial for the heart.
Its no coincidence that countries such as Greece and Italy have a lower incidence of heart disease than most of the world. Most of this is due to the fact that olive oil is comprised of up to 85% of mono-unsaturated fats.
There have been countless studies done that have proven that replacing saturated fats with a product like olive oil will result in lower "bad" cholesterol. At the same time it will increase the "good" cholesterol.
Considering the benefits of olive oil when it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, it is no surprise that it is one of the main factors for the longer life span of the citizens of Mediterannean countries.
Olive oil has also been shown to provide protection against several forms of cancer including breast cancer and prostate cancer.
As an athlete, I started using olive oil over ten years ago, and credit it with weight loss and increased endurance. However, I always make it a point to buy "virgin" or "extra-virgin" olive oil. Simply put, products that just say "olive oil" are normally inferior choices and do not provide the same benefits of the virgin olive oils.
I will always use olive oil whether I am competing or not. Just the health benefits are enough to convince me to include it in my diet on a daily basis. Why not? Not only is it healthy, it tastes great and adds flavor to a wide variety of recipes.
