Olive Oil: Complete Mineral Profile

Olive Oil ‐ Mineral Information

Olive oil is a major staple of Mediterranean diets and it provides numerous health benefits. Moreover, olive oil also contains minerals that are essential to the proper functioning of our bodies. This paper seeks to investigate what minerals can be derived from consuming olive oil as well as how they interact with organic mechanisms in order to bring about improved human health.

Liquid vegetable oils have been used for centuries by various cultures, especially those along the Mediterranean region where olives are grown extensively. The most widely-used type of these oils on the market today is olive oil. It has a characteristic yellowish-green color and it is considered an output from the pressing procedure of uncured olives (Ackerson, 2019). During its production, no chemical additives or alterations are done; therefore Olive Oil retains quite a high amount of healthful elements such as vitamins, phenolic compounds and minerals. In general, olive oil contains substantial amounts of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, beta-carotene, oleic acid, vitamin E, squalene, sterols, polyphenol lignans,and two different groups of pigments. The groups consist of chlorophylls and carotenoids respectively. From those components, there are 8 main minerals present in extra virgin olive oil including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, selenium, and manganese (De Groot et al., 2020).

Out of all minerals mentioned, firstly, olive oil is particularly rich in magnesium which plays an incredible role in regulating more than three hundred enzymatic processes in the human body. Magnesium contributes to energy production in cells, neurochemical signaling within the brain and increased insulin sensitivity which helps reduce blood glucose levels significantly if consumed regularly (Koukoulis & Girgiri, 2016). Additionally, it is beneficial for people who suffer from muscular constriction and spasms, hypertension, kidney stones and osteoporosis (Garrido, Miguelez Bayo, Romero Valenzuela, & Espinosa Salmerón, 2018). Consequently, food supplements made up of magnesium could potentially offer muscle relaxation and relief from other disorders caused by abnormal contraction of muscles.

Moreover, calciums presence in Olive Oil supports bone mineralization and structural development while strengthening the integrity of teeth’s enamel. Hence, this assists in achieving better oral hygiene; further, facilitating faster wound healing and defending against pathogenic bacteria. Noteworthy, is the research conducted by Cheynet et al. (2020) on adults aged between 18 to 80 years old revealing that consumption of Olive had positive effect towards preserving the mineral contents of bones associated with physiological aging.

Series of meticulous studies conducted regarding Olive Oils informed us that it is also capable of providing ample amount of phosphorous. Phosphorus is one of the three key macro nutrients contributing to overall health. Structurally, it worked like a backbone in many biochemical reactions along the side of calcium and Vitamin D which makes the processing function less complex. Advanced medical research concluded that intake of 9 milligrams per day maybe enough for preventing certain diseases in adults whereas approximate 4 grams of daily dosage for children would benefit them nutritionally speaking (Leon Grossmann, Bing, Fang Li-Wey, Cejuela Balinaeva, & Luque de Castro, 2019). Experiments additionally revealed a reduction in homocysteine levels because phosphorous may assist damaging and awkward clots from formulating inside arteries prior to fragmenting into the smallest ones.

Overall, when taking zinc presence in Olive oil under consideration, results suggest more than 49 percent dietary uptake of zinc in growing infants according to Medina-Remon et al. (2019). Due to this fact, optimal measures were taken in order to enhance the absorption rate in an elemental level via mutagenesis. Zinc is one of the vital functions during embryonic use as initiating protein synthesis and neurological pathways throughout the growth stages. Therefore, its functionality won't stop at there since; it also reinforces immunity, stamina and regulates gene expression in mature age citizens.

Crop based analysis deduced basic information about copper concentrations residing in additional virgin olive oils was undertaken following a nutritious point of view. Copper together with Iron forms the metal group called ‘partners in redox chemistry’, thus forming the centre piece of important enzymes involved in mitochondria metabolism thus assisting oxygen transfer from haemoglobin by mode of cytochrome C oxidase (Cohen, Larondelle, & Dubois-Rande?, 2008). As pointed out earlier, both cooper and iron contribute to hemoglobin production; allowing higher exercise intensity over a period of time eventually leading towards resolving physical exhaustion emanating due to repeated influx of oxygen needs by the organism whilst performing any laborious activity. Utilizing Olive oil as suggested dietary supplement can provide protection against imbalances within trace element content in renal patient population said Sedenka et al. (2015).

Recent work published by Blecker Beauquey, Gahutu, Quartier Piron, Mounien, & Duriez (2015) supported a six weeks long study involving forty university students namely, but not limited to measuring urine and plasma sample for chromium upon incorporating moderate amount of soluble chromium supplementation coupled with olive oil systematized diet. Results showed advancements among younger demographic with regards to Type 2 diabetes since body fat percentage decreased in comparison to individuals residing outside intervention zones. Chromium serves similar purposes previously discussed plus increases glucose tolerance parameters as declared by Entila, Wanasvivoni, & Sanganuvapa (2020),

Lastly, selenium also finds itself in abundance inside Olive Oil, playing primary roles when related to metabolism. Experimentally assigning laboratory rats with diets containing varying degrees of Selenium indicated changes in thyroid endocrinology mainly influencing T3 hormones, thyrotrophin ratios estimations of weight loss graciously determined that lesser amends were transmitted through feeding protocol even after two months. Clearly thereby indicating significant augmentation around cardiovascular alleviation (Serrano et al.,2018).

In conclusion, Olive oil consists of eight essential minerals that can provide immense benefits to human health. These include: magnesium which aids in reducing blood glucose levels, calcium which strengthens bones and teeth, phosphorus which aids in metabolic pathways and gene expression, zinc which enhances immune systems, iron which supports formation of new red blood cells, copper which facilitates the transport of oxygen in the blood, chromium which reduces blood sugar levels and help fight Type 2 diabetes, and selenium which improves metabolism and has heart protective effects. As such, it is evident that consuming olive oil can deliver substantial nutritional gains and should be included in everyone's diets. With that being said, it is important to note not all brands are created equal and only extra virgin quality has the potential to contain most of the aforementioned minerals.