Cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cancer caused 9.6 million deaths in 2018, and the number is expected to rise in the coming years.

Cancer is a multifactorial disease which results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors, such as diet, play a crucial role in the development of cancer. In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in the potential of olive oil in fighting cancer.

This article explores the evidence behind olive oil’s potential in the fight against cancer.

What is Olive Oil?

Olive oil is a vegetable oil that is obtained from olives, the fruit of the olive tree. Olive oil is a staple in the Mediterranean diet, which has been recognized for its health benefits.

Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyphenols, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. These compounds have been linked to numerous health benefits, including a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Olive Oil and Cancer

Olive oil has been shown to have potential in the prevention and treatment of several types of cancer. Here are some of the types of cancer have been studied:.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide, with an estimated 2.1 million new cases diagnosed in 2018. The polyphenols in olive oil have been shown to have a protective effect against breast cancer.

A study published in the International Journal of Cancer found that an olive oil-rich diet was associated with a lower risk of breast cancer among women in the Mediterranean region. Another study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that a compound in olive oil called oleocanthal inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells.

Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women worldwide. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that a diet rich in olive oil reduced the incidence of colon cancer in mice.

The researchers found that the polyphenols in olive oil had an inhibitory effect on the growth of colon cancer cells.

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, accounting for 1.76 million deaths in 2018.

A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that the consumption of olive oil was associated with a reduced risk of lung cancer among men in the Mediterranean region. The researchers found that the antioxidants in olive oil had a protective effect against lung cancer.

Olive Oil and Cancer Treatment

In addition to its potential in cancer prevention, olive oil has also been shown to have potential in cancer treatment. Here are some of the types of cancer that have been studied:.

Breast Cancer

A study published in the journal Paclia found that oleuropein, a polyphenol found in olive oil, enhanced the sensitivity of breast cancer cells to chemotherapy drugs.

The researchers found that oleuropein increased the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drugs by inhibiting the activity of a protein that is involved in drug resistance.

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with a five-year survival rate of less than 10%. A study published in the journal Oncology Reports found that oleuropein inhibited the growth of pancreatic cancer cells.

The researchers found that oleuropein induced apoptosis, or programmed cell death, in the cancer cells.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men worldwide. A study published in the journal Genes & Nutrition found that a diet rich in olive oil reduced the growth of prostate cancer cells in mice.

The researchers found that the polyphenols in olive oil had an inhibitory effect on the growth of the cancer cells.

Conclusion

Olive oil has emerged as a potential tool in the fight against cancer.

The polyphenols and other compounds in olive oil have been shown to have a protective effect against several types of cancer, and have also been shown to enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. While more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind olive oil’s potential in fighting cancer, these findings are promising and suggest that olive oil should be considered as part of a healthy diet.