Polyphenols In Extra Virgin Olive Can Protect Against Cancers
Increasing evidence shows that components of quality extra virgin olive oil offer protection against the development of several types of cancer, according to a 2022 meta-analysis published in PLoS One.
The study, also reported in the Daily Express, found significant disparities in cancer risk between individuals who consumed olive oils and people who did not.
Authors of the report explained: “More specifically, highest olive oil consumption was associated with 31 percent lower likelihood of developing any type of cancer.”
They continued: “The favourable effect of olive oil is largely attributed to its exceptional composition, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, squalene, and phenolic compounds.
“Their strong antioxidant properties limit cellular oxidative stress and DNA damage via scavenging and influence crucial signalling pathways linked to carcinogenesis. “
Daily Express
The meta-analysis of 45 studies showed that protection was most significant for cancer of breast, gastrointestinal, and urinary tract cancer.
The scientists concluded the meta-analysis with the statement: “In conclusion, the results of this meta-analysis represent valuable evidence of the protective effects of olive oil against cancer development.”
They added that further research could provide deeper insight into the role of olive oil in cancer prevention.
Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Cancer Prevention
The links between reduced cancer risk and extra virgin olive oil have been extensively documented in Morocco Gold’s news blog.
The powerful health benefits of polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil has been recognised in a top six hit list of foods that help minimise the risk of cancer.
The presence of Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil gives it top billing in a handy new guide from eastmojo.com which outlines key foods that reduce cancer risk. It says:
Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains a powerful compound called Oleocanthal, which aids in the killing of cancer cells in the body without harming healthy cells. Because of its numerous health advantages, this potent healthy oil is a staple of the Mediterranean Diet. It can easily be used as cooking oil or as a salad dressing.
Polyphenol Oleocanthal In Extra Virgin Olive Oil
The importance and uniqueness of Oleocanthal in extra virgin olive oil is that it has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-inflammatory action on the body is very similar to ibuprofen, one of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs most widely consumed.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as aspirin, paracetamol, and ibuprofen, can be differentiated from steroids because they have far fewer secondary effects. NSAIDS have proven to have very beneficial effects in diseases that involve chronic inflammation processes, such as degenerative and neurodegenerative illnesses (Alzheimer).
Extra Virgin Olive Oil sits alongside five other healthy boosting foods: green tea, tomatoes, onions & garlic, dark green vegetables and turmeric which should be incorporated in to our diet to boost chances of cancer prevention.
The Mediterranean Diet And Cancer Prevention
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is a key component of The Mediterranean Diet and there is mounting evidence that following a nutritional programme similar to this can also have significant health benefits, including reducing cancer risks.
A new study, from the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health at Paris-Saclay University in France, presents evidence that the foods we eat can affect how likely we are to develop cancer. The research suggests that the quality or general healthiness of a person’s food may be crucial.
The study, based on data from over 65,000 postmenopausal women who were tracked for more than two decades, found that a healthy plant-based diet was linked with a 14% lower risk of breast cancer while an unhealthy plant-based diet was linked with a 20% higher risk of breast cancer. The findings were consistent across all breast cancer subtypes.
“These findings highlight that increasing the consumption of healthy plant foods and decreasing the consumption of less healthy plant foods and animal foods might help prevent all types of breast cancer,” said Sanam Shah, a doctoral candidate in the Center for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health at Paris-Saclay University, Inserm, Gustave Roussy, France, the study’s lead author. Shah presented the findings at NUTRITION 2022 LIVE ONLINE, the flagship annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition that was held from June 14th to 16th.
While more research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms by which extra virgin olive oil helps reduce cancer risk, it’s clear that this food has powerful anti-cancer properties. Adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet may be a simple way to lower your risk of developing cancer. Considering the other health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health, it seems like a good idea to include this healthy fat in your regular diet. Have you started adding extra virgin olive oil to your meals?
