Have you heard the term polyphenol? Polyphenol compounds have recently attracted the attention of the science and health community due to its benefits for the human body. Polyphenols are chemical compounds found in many natural food and also in some synthetic foods. Polyphenol is also used as a dietary supplement and can be taken as a prescription drug. Polyphenols are one of the phytochemicals that are formed in plants and give color to plants. Most of the red fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of polyphenols. Peach, pomegranate, grape, orange, organic extra virgin olive oil, cocoa powder (dark chocolate) are some sources of polyphenols. There are four main categories of polyphenols; phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbens and ligands. These polyphenols can be obtained from different fruits, vegetables, grains, oils and soy. Researches have shown that polyphenols have a positive effect on health, and doctors recommend consuming food which are rich in polyphenols. One of the important sources of polyphenols in oils is olive oil, which contains high amounts of polyphenols. Since polyphenols are usually removed from the oil during filtration and purification, it is better to use unprocessed or least processed extra virgin olive oil to keep the polyphenol level intact. If you're wondering about the benefits of olive oil with high amounts of polyphenols, here are the three benefits of it:
1- Acts as an Antioxidant
Polyphenols in olive oil act as antioxidants, which means that these compounds minimize free radicals in the body. Antioxidants affect human health in a variety of ways, from improving body functions and digestions to skin care. Antioxidants can fight cell damage in the body and increase the body's immunity to fight any disease.
2- Low Cholesterol
The polyphenol compound can help you to maintain a healthy cholesterol level. Bad cholesterol and higher levels of bad cholesterol in the body increase the risk of heart disease that causes choking of the arteries. Therefore, polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil can help to keep cholesterol levels within the safe limits. You can safely consume extra virgin olive oil which you get from an olive garden, because you can be sure that it is less processed than industrial olive oils on the market. As you can understand, it is better to consume olive oil in its pure raw form.
3- Improves Arterial Function
The inner surface of the blood vessels and lymphatic vessels consists of endothelial cells. According to the studies, polyphenol compounds have a direct effect on the growth of the endothelial cell, which regulates the functions of the blood vessels. However, polyphenol has a positive effect on gene expression, which regulates angiogenesis and other roles of the endothelium. Since olive oil has antioxidant effects in itself, high polyphenol organic extra virgin olive oil can improve the overall endothelium, which contributes to cardiovascular health.