How Olive Oil Helps Your Body and Skin? Olive oil is one of the healthiest you can use every day. It is often called “liquid gold” because of its many benefits for the body.
People in Mediterranean countries have used olive oil in their cooking for a long time. Studies show they have fewer heart problems, strokes, and digestive system cancers compared to others.
In Spain, some parts of olive oil are even added to bread to help prevent aging.
Olive oil contains healthy fats called monounsaturated fatty acids, lecithin, polyphenols, and vitamins A, D, E, and K. Its healing power mostly comes from these healthy fats and antioxidants.
Research from the University of Philadelphia found that olive oil contains a compound similar to ibuprofen, which means a daily amount might help with joint pain, heart problems, and other aches.
Extra virgin olive oil is the best type. It is made by pressing olives without heat or chemicals, keeping its natural qualities.
Olive oil is best used raw, in salads or with vegetables, to get the full benefits. Cooking with it, especially frying, lowers its healthy effects. It’s good to use olive oil often for adults and children.
Health Benefits:
- Natural antioxidants: Vitamins A and E, selenium, and phenols in olive oil protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals.
- Lowers cholesterol: Olive oil helps reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise good cholesterol (HDL).
- Protects heart and brain: It slows the build-up of plaque in arteries and lowers risks of heart disease and stroke.
- Reduces cancer risk: Olive oil lowers the risk of colon and breast cancer. Women who use olive oil regularly have up to 45% less risk of breast cancer.
- Good for digestion: Olive oil is easy on the stomach, helps prevent ulcers, improves bile flow, and protects the liver.
- Helps diabetes: It lowers the chance of getting diabetes and helps reduce complications for those who have it.
- Supports weight loss: Olive oil helps balance fat storage and loss.
- Useful in skincare: Olive oil is often used in creams and lotions to protect skin, reduce sun damage, and treat dry skin or scars. It also makes skin glow and hair shiny.
- Pain relief: Warm olive oil massaged on sore muscles can ease pain. It may also help with hemorrhoids, lung infections, skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, dandruff, and fungal infections.
Because of all these reasons, keep olive oil in your kitchen—it’s truly a superfood.
Facts:
- Olive oil has no cholesterol and is about 77% unsaturated fat.
- It contains no gluten or salt.
- All oils have about the same calories, but because olive oil has a strong flavor, you use less of it.
- One tablespoon of olive oil provides about 8% of the daily recommended vitamin E.
