Olive oil: influence and benefits on some pathologies
Zamora Ardoy, M.A.; Báñez Sánchez, F.; Báñez Sánchez, C.; Alaminos García, P.
Anales de Medicina Interna 21(3): 138-142
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0212-7199 PMID: 15043496 Document Number: 568480
The olive tree is one of the most important plants in Mediterranean countries with a great economic and social significance. The oil derivatives from its fruit can be classified into different types according to their properties, with pure olive oil being the most renowned due to its unquestionable benefits for the maintenance of health and disease prevention. Several studies have shown the benefits of olive oil against cancer (breast, stomach, colon, endometrium and ovary), peptic ulcer, cholelithiasis, gastric motility, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. Olive oil has been found to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease blood pressure and atherogenic lipoprotein.