Olive oil is considered a nutritional treasure as a measure of prevention and treatment of diseases. We all know and are constantly informed about new benefits from the use of olive oil. Thousands of studies have been conducted over the last 50 years examining the health benefits of olive oil. Its valuable nutrients are many. First we have to mention the vitamins it contains: A, D, E, K. Of these, vitamin E also has antioxidant activity. Its antioxidant activity is enhanced by the phenols it contains as well as squalene. It is a food of high caloric value, while at the same time it has a high nutritional value, a fact that classifies it in superfoods and in fact the recognition of all the above worldwide. It is important to know that monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) are considered a healthy dietary fat, as opposed to saturated fats and trans fats.

But what is olive oil?
Olive oil is a fatty substance obtained from the fruit of the olive tree (olive), this blessed tree that is traditionally cultivated in the Mediterranean region, for the production of olive oil.
Olive oil as the main source of dietary fat in the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a lower rate of death from cardiovascular disease compared to other parts of the world. The populations of the Mediterranean have a longer life expectancy and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stroke than those of North America and Northern Europe.

But how especially the extra virgin olive oil benefits our health?
What we need to know is that not all olive oils are the same. There are huge differences. Proved the best olive oil is the extra virgin.
It is extracted by traditional methods and is characterized by purity and qualities such as taste and aroma. Extra virgin olive oil has a distinctive taste that stands out and has a high content of a group of antioxidants called phenols. Phenols are responsible for most of the beneficial benefits of olive oil. 
Extra virgin olive oil in addition to several calories has a particularly high nutritional value. Contains vitamin E and K as well as beneficial fatty acids. But the big difference in terms of nutritional value of olive oil is in the antioxidants it contains. Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with valuable antioxidants that have multiple health benefits.
Extra virgin olive oil contains anti-inflammatory ingredients. Chronic inflammation is among the leading causes of many diseases today. Some of these are cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, metabolic syndromes, arthritis and Alzheimer's. One of the key mechanisms behind the multiple benefits of olive oil is the fight against inflammation. There is evidence that oleic acid, which is abundant in olive oil alone, lowers inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein. However the main anti-inflammatory effect of olive oil can be attributed to the antioxidants it contains such as oleander which mimics the action of ibuprofen. Researchers estimate that the amount of olive oil contained in 50 ml of extra virgin olive oil has a similar analgesic effect to 10% of the dose of ibuprofen for adults.
There are still studies showing that the components of olive oil reduce the expression of genes and proteins that trigger the inflammatory response. Regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps fight inflammation and especially those related to damage to the cardiovascular system.

How does extra virgin olive oil protect against Alzheimer's disease?
Researchers have discovered that oleocanthal, a natural phenol found in extra virgin olive oil, helps remove abnormal Alzheimer's disease proteins from the brain and has the potential to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease or related neurodegenerative diseases.

How does extra virgin olive oil help prevent acute pancreatitis?
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in oleic acid and hydroxytyrosol, which affect the development of acute pancreatitis (sudden inflammation of the pancreas).
Researchers have found that: ¨There is strong evidence for the existence of oxidative-inflammatory processes involved in the onset of chronic diseases, as well as the fact that diet plays an important role in these processes¨.
How does extra virgin olive oil protect the liver? Researchers have conducted a study that proves that extra virgin olive oil can protect the liver from oxidative stress. They said there was growing evidence that olive oil could have major health benefits, including reducing the risk of coronary heart disease, preventing some cancers and modifying immune and inflammatory reactions. Specifically, the extra virgin olive oil and its extracts protect against oxidative damage to liver tissue.

Olive oil as the main source of dietary fat in the Mediterranean diet, is associated with a lower rate of death from cardiovascular disease compared to other parts of the world.
The populations of the Mediterranean have a longer life expectancy and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure and stroke than those of North America and Northern Europe.