Olive oil has been associated with longevity, and is believe to be one of the most important factors in the long healthy lifespans of the inhabitants of the Blue Zones. Ageing involves many changes in the body, and researchers have identified several key factors that contribute to this process. These factors, known as the "hallmarks of aging," include things like changes in DNA, shortening of protective caps on chromosomes called telomeres, and disruptions in how cells communicate with each other. Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, can help counteract many of these ageing-related changes. One study identified nine hallmarks of ageing, and provided evidence that a diet including olive oil may influence each hallmark positively—effects which may contribute to the beneficial effects of this dietary pattern on age-related disease risk and longevity. This is because the polyphenols can directly affect how genes are expressed in cells. One group of compounds in olive oil, called secoiridoids, is particularly effective at influencing pathways involved in ageing.
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