308. Only virgin olive oil linked to lower mortality risk
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
The Mediterranean diet has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and mortality. Olive oil has been thought to be the main reason for these benefits. In a new study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Spanish researchers compared the eating habits of over 12,000 Spanish adults and followed them for over 10 years. They found that common, refined olive oil provided no benefit for mortality. On the other hand, regular consumption of virgin olive oil led to a 34 percent reduction in all-cause mortality and 57 percent reduction in cardiovascular mortality. Virgin olive oil appears to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and benefits our blood vessels and blood pressure.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
