12 Outstanding Health Benefits of Olive Oil!
Olive oil is obtained by pressing entire olives (Olea europaea). It is often called'Jaitun ka Tel' in Hindi. It is a widely used vegetable oil for cooking, frying and salad dressing. It is also utilized in cosmetics, soaps, medications and for light lamps.
It is bright yellow or greenish or golden in color with a pungent aroma and slightly bitter taste.
Nutritional Value of Olive Oil
100 ml of Olive Oil provides people with 884 calories of energy
It is full of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for health. It contains about 70 percent of lipoic acid.
In addition, it also contains vitamin E and vitamin K Polyphenols, tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene, terpenic acids and several other antioxidants are also present in olive oil
Benefits of Olive Oil
Powerful Antioxidant:
Olive oil is rich in polyphenols, vitamin E and various other antioxidants.
These antioxidants protect our body from free radical damage. They consequently keep us healthy and shield us from diseases of heart, cancer .
Good for our Cardiovascular System:
Consumption of Olive oil is associated with reduced levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol).
Olive oil is full of polyphenols. These polyphenols help to lower blood pressure.
Olive oil, therefore is useful for patients with hypertension.
All the above effects help to safeguard our heart from various disorders.
Reduces Risk of Cancer:
Polyphenols present in olive oil are good antioxidants.
Consuming olive oil effectively decreases the risk of cancers of bowel, breast, colon, endometrium, prostate .
Hydroxytyrosol and tocopherol exhibit potent anti-cancer properties.
Management of Diabetes Mellitus:
Olive oil contains an antioxidant called tyrosol. Tyrosol enhances insulin resistance, thus preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
Olive oil is useful in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Reduces Risk of Stroke:
Polyphenols in olive oil decrease levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream. Thus cholesterol deposition in the arteries supplying blood to the brain is prevented. This greatly reduces the risk of stroke.
Antimicrobial:
Olive oil contains oleuropein. Oleuropein has powerful antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Consuming olive oil thus protects us from a variety of infections.
Great for Digestion:
Olive oil lubricates our digestive tract and keeps it healthy. It also maintains regular bowel movements, preventing constipation.
Consuming olive oil on a regular basis prevents digestive diseases.
Neuroprotective effects:
Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease that is characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques within the brain. There is a loss of memory in Alzheimer's disease.
Oleocanthal present in olive oil helps to clear these plaques, thus displaying improvement in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Olive oil effectively reverses learning and memory deficits.
Helps in Weight Loss:
Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. Monounsaturated fatty acids are good for our heart and also assist in maintaining ideal blood sugar levels.
Olive oil also gives a feeling of satiety, thus making us eat less food thereby reducing our calorie intake. This leads to weight loss.
Reduces Anxiety and Depression:
Olive oil reveals neuroprotective effects. It assists in effectively reducing anxiety and depression.
Pain Relief:
Oleocanthal in olive oil shows anti-inflammatory effects. It effectively reduces inflammation, swelling and spasm; thus reducing pain.
Olive oil when massaged over knees of patients suffering from osteoarthritis provides pain relief.
Great for Bones:
Olive oil is bone protective. Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects inhibit bone resorption. It increases the formation of bones. It assists in maintaining the bone mineral density.
Olive oil consequently prevents the risk of osteoporosis.
Benefits on Skin
Olive oil is a blessing for skin. Vitamin E and antioxidant content of Olive oil help to maintain healthy skin. Various effects of Olive oil on the skin are:
Hydrates and effectively moisturizes skin
Acts as a Fantastic exfoliator
Can be used to remove makeup
Prevents formation of fine lines and wrinkles
helps lighten scars and stretch marks
Prevents acne
helps repair cracked heels
Benefits on Hair
Olive oil hydrates our scalp and reduces itching and dryness
Reduces and prevents dandruff
Makes our hair healthy and shiny
Reduces and prevents hair fall
Promotes the growth of hair
Kinds of Olive Oil
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is made by cold-pressing olives. It is unrefined, pricey and has an excellent flavour and odour. It is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is of the best quality and also the most beneficial type for our health.
Virgin Olive Oil
Virgin olive oil is also obtained by cold pressing olives and has a low acid content.
It is the most popular type and less costly than extra virgin variety. It is great in flavour and smell.
Pure Olive Oil
Though called pure, this type of Olive oil is actually a blend of jojoba and refined oil. It has a high acid content and not suggested for ingestion.
Refined Olive Oil
Refined olive oil is obtained by pressing lower quality olives and further subjecting them to heat, chemicals and filtration. It is bland in taste and not good for health.
Pomace Olive Oil
Pomace olive oil is obtained from the pulp of olives. After the olives are cold-pressed and oil is eliminated, the leftover is called the aloe vera. Solvents are used to extract pomace oil from the pulp.