Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the quintessential fat in the Mediterranean diet and a perfect complement in sports nutrition.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil should be part of every healthy and nutritious diet, providing not only a unique flavor but also multiple health benefits for consumers thanks to three fundamental elements in its composition: oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that drastically reduces blood cholesterol levels; polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases; and finally, vitamin E, which improves circulation, visual capacity, and reduces the risk of diseases such as Parkinson's.
These three elements of Extra Virgin Olive Oil are a perfect ally for athletes at all levels, from those who exercise recreationally to those who do so competitively. Its antioxidant properties help combat the only negative aspect of exercise: the oxidative process that occurs when consuming oxygen and releasing free radicals. By making our body's lipoproteins, responsible for transporting fats, more resistant, it acts as an anti-aging agent and improves metabolic functions, which is very useful for athletes by reducing fatigue, muscle overload injuries, and other cellular damage.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, weight control, and cardiovascular health
Additionally, Extra Virgin Olive Oil acts against inflammation and pain that can result from physical activity, making it a perfect complement to athletes' nutrition by helping control weight and preventing obesity, as it allows for lower fat intake in meals, which is crucial to prevent increases in body fat percentage. Another benefit is its ability to activate and relax the nervous system both before and after training.
Due to its composition, Extra Virgin Olive Oil has a high content of unsaturated fats, specifically monounsaturated fats, which are nutritionally important because they lower cholesterol, favor the formation of vasodilatory compounds, prevent the formation of blood clots, and increase the diameter of veins and arteries.
It is recommended to consume around fifteen to twenty percent of daily calories through these monounsaturated fatty acids.
Besides exercise, the body undergoes numerous oxidative processes caused by free radicals, produced naturally through aging, inflammation, or antibacterial defenses, or externally from sources such as sun radiation, pollution, alcohol, or tobacco.
To prevent or reduce these processes, we have the aerobic metabolism with antioxidant systems and a good diet including Extra Virgin Olive Oil in its different varieties, very rich in vitamin E, the most powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from oxidative damage.
The unbeatable formula: diet and exercise
It is well known: regular physical exercise of moderate intensity brings great benefits to both physical and mental health, and is ideal for maintaining the antioxidant defense system or even boosting defense levels if training is progressive.
The type of fat found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil can also be found in other foods such as meats, fish, and nuts, but in much smaller amounts, without forgetting that Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains the aforementioned polyphenols, which, besides their antioxidant effect and prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, have been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, antithrombotic, and hypolipidemic properties.
A champion's breakfast
Fortunately, more and more people have included Extra Virgin Olive Oil in their breakfasts. Below is one of the many possible combinations for the first meal of the day, ideal for those, like athletes, who need a balanced diet across major macronutrient groups such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats:
Coffee or herbal tea, a slice of toasted bread, Olive Oil Virgin Extra premium, crushed tomato, fresh orange juice or fruit, Iberian ham, honey, dairy, and mineral water. This breakfast helps provide the energy needed to start the day right.
