Olive oil is an important source of health, as mentioned in the Qur'an. It is high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids, which do not contain cholesterol and help keep levels under control. Research has revealed that consuming olive oil lowers LDL and raises antioxidant levels, which helps prevent cell damage. Studies have also shown that olive oil prevents heart and artery disease, as well as breast and prostate cancer. The University of Oxford has also found that olive oil has a protective effect against intestinal cancer.

Riccardi, S. Giacco. Olive oil is beneficial for health, particularly for health of bones, the elderly, and babies. It also has a positive effect on rheumatic arthritis and high blood pressure, and can reduce the risk of cancer and strengthen the immune system.

It contains vitamins E, A, D and K and minerals which support bone development and mineralisation, and act as anti-oxidants that protect the body from damage, delay aging and support hormones. Olive oil is a natural source similar to mother's milk, and is recommended for mothers and their babies. Olive oil is an excellent health choice, as research has shown it to help reduce insulin resistance and improve glucose control. It also lowers the risk of certain diseases, and is more effective than a low-fat diet for controlling and treating obesity. Scientists suggest that an olive oil-based diet is the ideal nutrition model, as its properties have been praised in the Qur'an.

Therefore, including olives and olive oil in one's daily nutrition programme is beneficial for health.

Notes.
138. Scientific Encyclopedia, 207.
139. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, April 2002, 56: 114-120.
140. Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 1181-1187.
141. Keys A, Menotti A, Karvonen MJ, "The diet and 15-year death rate in the Seven Countries Study," Am J Epidemiol 124: 903-915 (1986); Willett WC, "Diet and coronary heart disease," Monographs in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 15: 341-379 (1990); World Health Organization, "Diet, nutrition, and the prevention of chronic diseases," Report of a WHO Study Group. WHO Technical Report Series 797, Geneva 1990.
142. "The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids;"
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12442909&dopt=Abstract
143. Journal of the American Heart Association, September 1999.
144. Archives of Internal Medicine 1998; 158: 41-45.
145. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1999; 70: 1077-1082.
146. Ibid.
147. Diane H. Morris, PhD., RD., "Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Adults and Infants," A Health and Nutrition Primer, 28-34.
148. Dr. Joseph Mercola, "Infant Formula Fortification Protocol;"
www.mercola.com/2000/oct/22/infant_formula.htm
149. Muammer Kayahan, "Saglikli Yasam ve Zeytinyagi," (Healthy Life and Olive Oil) Bilim Teknik, April 1995, 48.
150. Ibid.
151. Ibid.
152. The Olive Tree World; www.olivetree.eat-online.net/framehealth.htm