Mediterranean Lifestyle Part 6

 

Journal Entry 6:

Throughout my life, I have had the opportunity to travel to many different countries. Each of the countries that I have visited has had a profound impact on my life- some more than others. I still have vivid memories of the countries that I traveled to at a young age.

One of the most memorable experiences was the country of Italy. In Italy pasta, bread, and olive oil are served at every meal. I fell in love with olive oil when we were there. I would drizzle it over the pasta and dip bread in it. Olive oil is a staple in our home. I use olive oil instead of butter in many of the dishes that I prepare for our family.

Olive oil and olives have long been a staple of the Mediterranean diet. This is in direct contrast to the typical Western diets that use butter and margarine. Olive oil is a fat obtained from the fruit of the Olea europaea (olive tree), a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean region. Whole olives are pressed to produce this distinctive oil.

Many believe that olive oil was used at the Last Supper along with the bread and the wine. The dietary fat in olive oil is mostly monounsaturated fat, which has been reported to support normal heart health by reducing total and bad cholesterol levels.

Additionally, the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of olive oil have been reported to support normal blood sugar health, ease joint discomfort, and decrease breast cancer risk. Medical News Today reported that a review of studies carried out in Barcelona, Spain, looked at the biological and clinical effects of olive oil. Results suggested that people who regularly consume olive oil are less likely to develop cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke, and hyperlipidemia (high blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels). Olive oil intake also appears to help reduce inflammation, endothelial dysfunction (problems with the inner linings of blood vessels), thrombosis, and carbohydrate metabolism.

According to a study carried out at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in Spain and published in PLoS ONE, olive oil appears to protect slightly against the risk of depression, even after taking into account people's overall diet, physical activity, and lifestyle. Data on 12,000 volunteers over a period of 6 years showed that, compared with people whose dietary fat was mainly olive oil, those who consumed trans-fats regularly had a 48-percent higher risk of developing depression. The more trans-fats they ate, the higher the risk.

Not only is olive oil healthy for one to consume, but it also nourishes skin and gives skin a beautiful glow.

As with all foods, olive oil should be consumed in moderation. Too much of a good thing can be a bad thing or in this case, unhealthy. This week try adding a drizzle of olive oil to your salad or instead of spreading butter on bread, try dipping the bread in olive oil.