Cooking with olive oil allows you to gain flavor without compromising the integrity of your main dish. Olive oil, which has been a staple of many Mediterranean diets for years, can do more than just help flavor your food.

Here are some simple ways that ingesting olive oil on a daily basis can help you ward off cancer in the future.

1. Olive oil contains a powerful antioxidant.

You are probably familiar with the term "antioxidant" when it comes to protecting yourself against cancer, but you may be surprised to discover that olive oil contains one of the most effective antioxidants available.

Oleocanthal, an antioxidant found in extra virgin olive oil, attacks the waste centers of cancer cells. Studies have shown that oleocanthal has the ability to target, and destroy, cancer cells within a 60 minute period. Since oleocanthal leaves healthy cells intact, ingesting this antioxidant through the regular use of olive oil in your cooking can be beneficial in helping to reduce the number of cancer cells lurking in your body.

2. Olive oil can protect against the formation of tumors.

Many forms of cancer (like breast cancer or prostate cancer) are characterized by the growth of malignant tumors. Olive oil contains a compound known as oleic acid, which can play a significant role in helping to reduce the formation of cancerous tumors.

Oleic acid, which is the major form of monounsaturated fatty acid found in olive oil, can reduce the production of prostaglandins in the body. Prostaglandins promote tumor growth by binding cancer cells to one another. Reducing the number of prostaglandins in your body through the oleic acid in olive oil could reduce your chances of developing a tumor in the future.

3. A diet rich in olive oil could prevent breast cancer.

Breast cancer is a serious concern for many women throughout the world. If you are hoping to reduce your chances of developing breast cancer, a diet rich in olive oil could be the answer.

Olive oil contains several substances that can be beneficial in fighting breast cancer. Oleuropein has the ability to make breast cancer cells self-destruct, and hydroxytyrosol helps to counteract any damage healthy breast cells sustain due to reactive oxygen species. Research shows that women who ate a diet rich in olive oil were 62% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, making olive oil an essential part of any anti-breast cancer routine.

Incorporating more olive oil into your diet can be a simple way to help prevent cancer in the future. To explore your options, consider checking out an online olive oil store or your local market.