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Health Benefits of EVOO

Olive oil’s significant health benefits, particularly in the context of preventing and managing diabetes, is discussed in a recent article at About Olive Oil: Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Favorite Ingredient in the Fight Against Diabetes. Olive oil benefits those with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as well as related conditions like metabolic syndrome and polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Disclaimer: Although there is significant research on olive oil, including resources like the US National Institute of Health’s National Library of Medicine, the content in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

I am a Type 2 diabetic and have been for more than 20 years.  I firmly believe that one of the ways I control the disease is by regular use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in cooking, salads, and often just tasting.  I know of others who take a tablespoon or two of EVOO every day just because of the health benefits.

The article emphasizes the role of olive oil as a key ingredient in the Mediterranean Diet, highlighting its effectiveness in improving body weight and blood sugar control. This is supported by various peer-reviewed studies.

Two New Books Advocate Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The article includes interviews of the authors of two recently-published books, Diabetes for Dummies (6th edition) and its brand new companion book, Diabetes Meal Planning & Nutrition for Dummies. The authors, Dr. Simon Poole and Chef Amy Riolo, express their advocacy for EVOO in managing diabetes. Dr. Poole emphasizes the Mediterranean Diet’s role in preventing or even reversing diabetes, highlighting olive oil’s bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, which impact glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. Chef Riolo shares her experience in observing the positive impact of a Mediterranean diet on diabetes patients and emphasizes the role of nutrition in health management.

These two books focus on lifestyle and nutritional interventions, mentioning olive oil over 300 times. They outline several benefits of olive oil in diabetes management:

1. Inflammation Reduction: EVOO helps reduce inflammation, which is particularly beneficial for diabetes patients who often suffer from inflammation-related complications.
2. Polyphenols: These antioxidants in olive oil influence metabolic hormones like GLP-1 and insulin, promoting health.
3. Lower Glycemic Load: Adding EVOO to meals can reduce the glycemic load of the food.
4. Increased Insulin Sensitivity: The monounsaturated fats in olive oil enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation that contributes to insulin resistance.
5. Cardiovascular Health: Considering the higher risk of cardiovascular issues in diabetics, olive oil’s benefits for heart health are significant.
6. Appetite Management: Despite being high in calories, fat from olive oil can increase satiety, leading to smaller portion sizes and aiding in weight management.

The article concludes by recommending these books for their easy-to-follow recipes and meal plans, beneficial not only for diabetes management but also for conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome and metabolic syndrome. I concur.

You can find these books at the publisher’s Dummies and Wiley websites, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, Target and other booksellers. I also found an unabridged audio edition of Diabetes for Dummies (6th edition) at Barnes and Noble.

Olive Oil Quality Matters

The unique benefits of high-polyphenol, organic olive oil help to promote a healthy diet, especially for managing conditions like diabetes. Discover more about the exceptional quality of our olive oil in our “Frequently-Asked Questions,” and feel free to explore our selection to find the perfect EVOO for your recipes–shop for EVOO here.

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