Genetically modified foods are easier to avoid in some countries that others, but the genetic contamination in the United States is so high right now that the odds say you’ll be consuming at least a small percentage of GMO material even if you always buy organic.
Soybeans and soy products are particularly high risk items since the vast majority of soy in the U.S. is genetically modified to withstand heavy doses of health-damaging agrochemicals, but there may be a way to protect damage from GMO soybeans according to a 2014 study from a team of researchers in the UK, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
According to the study, the always-popular extra virgin olive oil may reduce DNA damage caused by consuming genetically modified soybean products.
In the study, rodents given olive oil and genetically modified soybeans showed less DNA damage in their spleens compared to rodents who only ate the GM soybeans on their own.
In independent studies, GM soy and corn products have been linked to several different health problems ranging from infertility and cancer, but if the study is correct, foods high in specific health-protecting nutrients like EVOO can help to slow down the damage.
Other Benefits of Olive Oil for Halting GMO Damage
The study also suggested that olive oil antioxidants can help to normalize normochromatic erythrocytes (red blood cells) altered by GM soybean consumption, the study showed.
“We can conclude that adding EV olive oil to the diet of rats appears effective in inhibiting oxidative damage and may act as a protective agent against chronic diseases such as liver fibrosis, hyperlipidemia and diabetes,” the researchers said.
“In addition, EV olive oil may also have a protective function against carcinogenic processes. Further clinical studies are therefore required to determine whether the observations observed in our study translate to human conditions and illnesses.”
The study can be found in the journal Nutrients and you can read it by clicking on this link.
What to Know When Shopping for Olive Oil
Olive oil is commonly sold in grocery stores, but what most people don’t realize is that America’s standards for purity and quality are considerably lower than those found in Europe.
According to Dr. Eric Berg, who specializes in nutrition and has millions of followers on YouTube, “up to 80% of olive oil (sold in the United States) is fake.”
He recommends that shoppers should look for olive oil that comes in glass bottles, is organic, and includes a country-of-origin label with info on how it was produced.
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About Nick Meyer
