Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria that inhibits in various areas of the stomach. It digs into the stomach lining and causes a chronic inflammation, that promotes the development of peptic ulcers and stomach cancer. It is very resistant to antibiotics.
There has been a lot of research going on for substances to fight Helicobacter Pylori, not only with researchers turning to herbal extracts and essential oils, that are used in traditional and not traditional medicines, but to foods that are very rich in poly-phenols, like olive oil.
Over time research has proved thatolive oil and especially extra virgin olive oil has a high content of phyto-nutrients. Experiments on food-born pathogens shows that olive oil poly-phenols contain a high level of antimicrobial activity against food-borne pathogens.
In an investigation at the University Hospital of Valme, Seville, Spain, conducted by Dr. Romero and her colleagues, using conditions that mimic the human stomach, was found out that a significant amount of the olive oil‘s poly-phenols, when they were thrown into the stomach’s acid, they showed that they exerted strong anti- Helicobacter pylori activity, even in against places resistant to antibiotics.
A poly-phenol named Ty-EDA was very effective and only 1.5 ml was needed to kill the Helicobacter pylori cells in tube experiments. This poly-phenol is contained in most virgin olive oils and in high concentrations.
The results from this study is very promising, but needs confirmation in human studies.
In a Russian Research about olive oil and stomach cancer, the patients with ulcers, when they replaced saturated fats with olive oil, the size of the ulcer was significantly reduced and the healing was significantly increased.
Epidemiological Studies show that the use of olive oil in the every day diet, minimizes the chances of developing stomach cancer.
Researchers believe that olive oil contains significant amounts of antioxidants and mainly vitamin E that is a protective element against stomach cancer and many other chronic diseases.
Extra virgin olive oil is very beneficial for the whole gastric system. Replace saturated fats in your daily diet with extra virgin olive oil, to promote gastrointestinal health.