Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Abstract

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), also called the”Elixir of the youth and health” by the Ancient Greeks, is a cornerstone in the Mediterranean diet, which has been recognized as one of the healthiest and most sustainable dietary pattern and lifestyle. In this chapter, a brief overview of the major and minor components of EVOO is given followed by a review of their health benefits. In particular, the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and cardiovascular protective effects of EVOO are emphasized. At the end of this chapter, the reader would benefit by realizing that EVOO, as a functional food, proves the Hippocrates’s quote “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”.

Sustainable food systems and healthy diets: the case of mediterranean diet

“…The vision of SFS is a world where the earth can produce enough nutritious, safe, affordable food to feed the population, while preserving the biodiversity and ecological needs of the planet now and for the future generations. Such systems ensure food security and nutrition and accommodate most of the 17 SDGs; they are beneficial for every citizen and country, good for the whole planet (Berry, 2019;Burlingame & Dernini, 2019;Fanzo, 2019;Knorr et al, 2020;Meybeck & Gitz, 2017;Trajkovska Petkoska & Trajkovska-Broach, 2020;Von Koerber et al, 2017).…”

“…The growing body of scientific evidence has shown the significant health and wellbeing benefits, positive societal and economic impacts, and low environmental footprints of MD (Fig. 3) (Trajkovska Petkoska & Trajkovska-Broach, 2020;Trajkovska Petkoska & Trajkovska-Broach, 2021). As Dernini et al (2015Dernini et al ( , 2016 have stated "A well fed nation is a healthy nation; it is a sustainable and productive nation", we all could benefit from the Mediterranean lifestyle (Conrad et al, 2018;Dernini et al, 2017;Dernini & Berry, 2015;Galanakis, 2020;Martínez-Gonzálezet al, 2017;Mantzioris & Villani, 2019;Moore et al, 2018;Muscogiuri et al, 2020;Pairotti et al, 2015).…”

“…(Alexander et al, 2016;Katz, 2019;Lawrence et al, 2019). Mediterranean Diet (MD) is a good representative of a sustainable food system that is mainly plant-based healthy diet (Trajkovska Petkoska & Trajkovska-Broach, 2020;Trajkovska Petkoska & Trajkovska-Broach, 2021).…”