Olive Oil - History & Benefits

According to Hellenic mythology, Athena (Goddess of Wisdom) and Poseidon (God of the Sea) held a competition to become the protector of a newly built city in Attica. The city would be named after the one who gave the citizens the most precious gift. Poseidon struck a rock with his trident and water rushed out, symbolizing his gift of sea power. Athena then struck a rock with her spear and produced the olive tree, signifying fruitfulness and peace. The citizens chose the gift of Athena, thus making her their patroness, and named the city after her (Athens). 

Although the above myth can’t be accounted as a historical source, scientists confirm that the first olive tree indeed sprung in the greater Mediterranean Basin, and more specifically in Crete. The first cultivation of the olive tree worldwide took place in about 3500 BCE in the Early Minoan times. After 2000 BCE it became very intense and systematic with the ancient Minoans exporting olive oil in mainland Hellas, Northern Africa and Asia Minor, turning olive oil into a staple in the island's economy.

Throughout the history of the ancient Hellenic civilizations, the olive tree was cherished and viewed as a precious symbol of wealth, health and peace. So much, in fact, that in the 6th century BCE, Solon, the great Athenian legislator, drafted the first law for the protection of the olive tree. 

Olive oil, by extension, was also held in high regard. The ancient Hellenes praised it for its nutritional and medicinal purposes and considered it a valuable currency. In point of fact, at the end of the ancient Olympic Games they awarded the winners with the “Panathenaic Amphorae”, a large ceramic vessel containing olive oil. 

To this day, Hellas is still one of the largest producers of olive oil, along with Spain and Italy, and has the highest per capita national consumption of olive oil in the world.

Rich in antioxidants, mono-saturated fats, and Vitamin E, olive oil has miraculous benefits for the human body. Studies have shown that consuming extra virgin olive oil can benefit one’s health and help combat or prevent numerous diseases.

1.  Cardiovascular Disease

Studies have shown that consuming olive oil on a daily basis may reduce the risk of heart disease because of its mono-saturated fat content. 

2.  Lower Blood Pressure

Regular consumption of olive oil can help lower blood pressure. Studies have proven that adding olive oil to one’s diet decreases both systolic (maximum) and diastolic (minimum) blood pressure.

3.  Cholesterol

Consuming as little as two tablespoons of olive oil has been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides as well as improve HDL cholesterol.

4.  Alzheimer’s

Extra virgin olive oil contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that help reduce cognitive decline that comes with aging, including Alzheimer’s disease.

5.  Skin cancer

Along with other components of the Mediterranean diet, extra virgin olive oil has shown to contribute to the prevention of skin cancer, specifically malignant melanomas and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). 

6.  Osteoporosis

According to recent studies, consuming extra virgin olive oil helps the body absorb calcium, thus aiding in thickening the bones and preventing osteoporosis. 

7.  Diabetes

Consumption of extra virgin olive oil can prevent insulin resistance and ensure better blood sugar level control, thus help in treating or preventing diabetes. 

8.  Oxidative stress

The powerful antioxidants in extra virgin olive oil help protect the body from the damage caused by free radicals (oxidative stress) that may form in the body due to exposure to air pollution, bad diet, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption.