Advertisement

Oil

Italians discover cancer-fighting olive oil

Josephine McKenna
Josephine McKenna - [email protected]
Italians discover cancer-fighting olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil from Tuscany had the highest concentration of the cancer-fighting agent. Photo: David McLeish/Flickr

Scientists from the University of Siena claim to have found a link between Tuscan olive oil and cancer prevention, Italian media reported.

Advertisement

A team lead by Professor Marina Ziche found that extra virgin olive oil contains a molecule which is a powerful anti-cancer agent which had potential to counter colon cancer.

Ziche and her colleagues presented details of their research in Florence on Wednesday.

They said their research had identified the molecular mechanism that “contributes to inhibiting the progression of colon cancer” .

The research team stressed that not all olive oils were the same and extra virgin olive oil from Tuscany with a Protected Geographic Indication (IGP) denomination had the highest concentration of cancer-fighting polyphenols.

While standard extra virgin olive oil contains 100-250mg of the polyphenols, certain types of Tuscan olive oil contains at least 450mg.

The team recommends 40g or up to four spoons of extra virgin olive oil a day while the European Union suggests a daily intake of 20g of fresh extra virgin olive oil to prevent cardiovascular problems.

The research was financed by the Tuscan IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oil Consortium.

Don't miss a story about Italy - Join us on Facebook and Twitter.

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also