International Olive Council Report Highlights the Health Benefits of Olive Oil and the Mediterranean Diet

MINNEAPOLIS - (BUSINESS WIRE) - The International Olive Council's (IOC) most recent research paper, "The Emerging Health Attributes of the Mediterranean Diet and Olive Oil," explains how the monounsaturated or "good" fat found in the Mediterranean Diet along with other lifestyle factors can help protect human health. The latest in a series of reports from the IOC shows that scientific research continues to uncover more evidence supporting the benefits of dietary and lifestyle choices on health, including the Mediterranean diet and olive oil. The full report is available at www.addsomelife.org. Key findings include specific health benefits of olive oil and the Mediterranean diet and an explanation of good and bad fats.

Fresh Salmon Salad (Photo: International Olive Council)

"Health Attributes of the Mediterranean Diet and Olive Oil"
A person's diet contributes substantially to his or her health, and emerging research points to the Mediterranean diet's positive effects on inflammation, cognitive health, neurological disease, depression and overall quality of life.

Increasingly, olive oil is seen as a strong weapon against inflammation and a variety of other medical conditions. Inflammation is the body's first response to illness and is a necessary function of a healthy immune system. However, chronic inflammation, or inflammation that is continuously activated, is a quiet and persistent disorder that increases a person's susceptibility to chronic disease and illness. Many age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer, have roots in inflammation.