Reduce
Heart Problems:
Natural
olive oil contains 70% monounsaturated fatty acid. As a result, it lowers
cholesterol accumulation in the blood and reduces heart problems. It reduces
the LDL, while at the same time increasing the HDL levels. The website of
Montelcastelli Solutions Ltd. provides a table comparing the fatty acid
composition of different types of oils.
Blood
Cholesterol:
LDL
cholesterol is the bad type of cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart
attacks and pulmonary heart disease. Extra virgin olive oil, which is rich in
almost 40 antioxidant chemicals, helps reduce the oxidation effects of LDL
cholesterol.
Weight
Loss:
Medical
experts suggest that it is very difficult to gain weight from the
mono-unsaturated fats present in olive oil. Experiments involving Mediterranean
olive oil have shown positive results in regards to a reduction in human body
weight.
Metabolism:
Olive
oil boosts the metabolism, the growth of good bone structure, and brain
development in children. It is an excellent source of vitamin E, which is
very beneficial for older people.
Anti-inflammatory
and Antimicrobial Properties:
The
phenols present in olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties. The
antimicrobial characteristics of the oil are a result of its strong aroma.
Digestion:
Olive
oil is known to aid in the digestive process. It is used as a medicinal oil to
clean the digestive tract and to improve bowel movements.
Aging
Process:
Rich
in antioxidants, olive oil slows the natural aging process of the human body.
Used in cosmetic products and natural herbal therapy, it does wonders for
the skin, which gets a natural shine and glow from the enriching oil.
Prevention
of Gall Stones:
This
oil is also effective in preventing gall stones.
Healthy
Cell Walls:
Olive
oil contains polyphenol which helps in stronger cell walls. It also increases
the elasticity of arterial walls, protecting against various heart conditions.
Cancer:
Olive
oil is said to protect the human body against cancerous growth, especially
bowel cancer. Medical research done at the prestigious Oxford
University has shown positive signs that the acidic content of
this oil can prevent the commencement of rectum and bowel cancer. In the
UK, bowel cancer is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer, and kills almost
twenty thousand citizens every year.
Breast
cancer:
Recent research
study suggests that hydroxytyrosol, a major component of olive oil may
help prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women.
Hypertension:
Recent
research study suggests that Mediterranean diet comprising of food rich
in unsaturated fats (found in olive oil and nuts) and nitrite and
nitrate (found in leafy green vegetables) may help protect you from
hypertension.
There
are several grades of olive oil, according to the flavor, aroma, acidic value
and color. Readers are advised to buy authentic oil with proper evaluation for
cooking or medicinal purposes.
1. An alternative to soap
Thousands of years ago, the ancient Romans and
Greeks didn’t have any soap. Instead, they used olive oil to clean their skin
and even today, many people still use this method, instead of using soap. Just
massage the oil into your skin and then take it off with a warm, wet washcloth.
2. Lowers blood pressure
Even though researchers are unsure why, olive oil
has been proven to reduce blood pressure and is beneficial to those suffering
from hypertension.
3. Helps fight breast cancer
Olive oil contains a substance known as
phytochemicals, and studies have shown that these can be effective both in
killing cancerous cells and suppressing the genes that are responsible for the
onset of cancer.
4. An all-round beauty treatment
Olive oil benefits are almost countless. Some
women accredit olive oil, as being the mainstay of their overall beauty regime.
Hollywood siren, Sophia Loren consumes olive oil daily, uses it on her hair and
skin, and puts it in her bath too.
5. Lowers the risk of developing coronary heart
disease
A diet that is rich in olive oil will greatly
reduce the risk of heart disease. A study carried out in Italy found that those
who ate more olive oil, along with plenty of leafy vegetables had markedly
reduced rates of heart disease.
6. Reduces the risk of stroke
Taking two tablespoons of olive oil every day will
increase the elasticity in your arteries and so, will make you less susceptible
to strokes and heart attacks.
7. Reduces the appearance of stretch marks
Olive oil benefits include reducing the
appearance of stretch marks. Massaging olive oil into your skin during
pregnancy will make your skin more elastic and so, reduce the risks of you
developing stretch marks. You can also use it after the birth to help lighten
any stretch marks that have occurred.
8. Use as a carrier for essential oils
Essential oils are usually too strong to be used on
their own, but olive oil makes the perfect carrier oil, when you do use them.
9. Create your own lip gloss
You can create your own lip gloss using olive oil;
just mix some olive oil with a natural pigment color of your choice and add
beeswax. Your natural lip gloss is ready!
10. Brings a gleam to household appliances
Olive oil makes a great polish around the home.
Apply to faucets, appliances, stainless steel and laminate surfaces and polish
off for a bright and shiny finish.
11. Use as an alternative to mascara
You can get big and beautiful eyes without mascara,
which can make some people’s eyes itch. Apply some olive oil with a mascara
brush instead and it will give you long and shiny lashes without any of the
allergies.
12. Olive oil bath
For a wonderful relaxing experience add some olive
oil to your bathtub, add a couple of drops of rose essential oil and a handful
of rose petals for a touch of luxury; after such a bath your skin will really
thank you.
13. Removes paint, tar and tree sap
If you get some sticky tar, sap or paint on your
hands, then rubbing with a little olive oil will gently remove it, without the
need for any harsh scrubbing.
14. Protects your red blood cells
Over time, your blood cells oxidize, which is one
of the common causes of the signs of aging. There is a special type of
polyphenol found in olive oil that protects your red blood cells from
oxidation, which will keep you younger for longer and help protect your heart,
so don’t forget to add olive oil to your salads.
15. Use as a night cream
If you have very dry skin, then olive oil will make
a great night cream for you. Just apply a small amount of olive oil to your
face at bedtime and you will wake up with smooth and supple skin in the
morning.
16. Reduces the signs of aging
The list of olive oil benefits wouldn’t be
complete without mentioning that it can reduce signs of aging. Olive oil
contains both antioxidants and vitamin E, which makes it a superb anti-aging
treatment. To maintain your youthful glow, apply olive oil to your skin daily
and it will help keep the wrinkles away.
17. Helps to improve your memory
Research has suggested that people who consume
olive oil regularly are less likely to suffer from memory loss, when they get
older. It has even been suggested that olive oil can reverse some of the
effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
18. Make butter healthier
If you love the taste of butter, but don’t want all
the bad fat that it contains, then mix one part butter with one part olive oil
for a healthier spread to put on your bread.
19. Reduces cholesterol
Olive oil is definitely heart friendly, so
replacing other saturated fats with olive oil will improve your metabolism and
help to reduce your cholesterol levels.
20. Olive oil could save the world
Great news for lovers of Italian food; The World
Health Organization recommends that everyone in the world adopts a
Mediterranean style diet, because olive oil is the healthiest source of fat
that there is.
21. Use instead of lip balm
If you have chapped and sore lips, then try olive
oil instead of your usual lip balm. The oil is quickly absorbed by the skin, so
it will moisturize your lips quickly and help protect them all day long.
22. Helps heal skin irritations
Apply olive oil directly to sunburn and other skin
irritations, and its natural regenerative properties and vitamin E will help
speed up the healing process, as well as soothe the pain.
23. Keeps you fitter for longer
A diet rich in olive oil, like the Mediterranean
diet, has been proven in research to keep people healthy into their old age.
24. Prevents your skin from sagging
As you get older, your skin begins to lose its
elasticity, which is the cause of sagging and wrinkles. Olive oil contains
squalene, which helps to improve the elasticity of your skin and so will keep
it firm and toned for longer.
25. Treats dry, rough feet
You can make a great foot scrub by mixing one part
olive oil with one part honey and mixing in a little sugar. Massaging the
mixture into your feet will help remove dead skin and soften and moisturise
your feet as well.
26. Improve your singing voice
Although there is no scientific evidence for this
one, professional opera singers have been gargling with olive oil before
performances for centuries, as it is said to protect the throat and lubricate
the voice.
27. Use as an exfoliator
For an inexpensive and natural exfoliator, just mix
olive oil with some salt or sugar, and away you go. A fraction of the cost of
commercial exfoliating treatments and it does exactly the same job.
28. Use olive oil in face masks
Mix olive oil with mashed banana or avocado and use
it as a homemade face mask, by applying it for 5-10 minutes and then wash off;
the mask will nourish and rejuvenate your skin, making it soft and smooth.
29. Conditions your hair
Your hair can also experience wonderful olive
oil benefits. Olive oil has been used as a natural hair conditioner
for centuries. From Cleopatra to Sophia Loren, beautiful women around the world
and throughout history have used the oil to nourish and strength their hair.
30. A natural skin moisturizer
Olive oil is one of the most wonderful natural skin
moisturizers. Use as a hand cream or a face and body moisturizer and it will
soon bring back the softness to your skin.
31. It only contains good fat
Olive oil contains different dietary fats in
precisely the same ratio that human beings need, which is part of the reason
that the oil is so good for you.
32. Use as a makeup remover
Apply some olive oil to cotton wool, wet it a
little with warm water and use it to remove your makeup, and even your eye
makeup. It’s safe, it’s natural and it will help to moisturize your skin too.
33. Make hair products last longer
You can combine all the benefits of olive oil with
those of your regular hair products by combining the two together. It will help
products to spread more evenly through your hair and make your product last
longer as well.
34. It’s a natural anti-inflammatory
Inflammation is a natural part of the body’s
defense system, but it can be painful! Extra virgin olive oil contains
oleocanthal, which is an anti-inflammatory compound that can help to reduce
redness and soreness.
35. Eases tickly coughs
When you get a dry, tickly cough, you can ease the
irritation with a teaspoon of olive oil.
36. Removes chewing gum
If you find gum stuck fast to a non-porous surface
like a floor or even on if you get some on your skin, rub a little olive oil
into it and it will soften the gum and make it easier to remove.
37. It will keep wooden utensils looking as good,
as new
Wooden chopping boards, bows and other utensils can
become dull and scratched over time. Rubbing some olive oil into them will
bring back the natural beauty of the wood and help to reduce the appearance of
scratches.
38. Waterproofs leather
If you rub some olive oil onto leather boots, it
will keep out the rain. It can also be used to waterproof other leather items
like belts and baseball gloves.
39. Treats bad breath
Had a heavy garlic night? A teaspoon of olive oil
with a little lemon juice mixed in, first thing in the morning, will help clear
up your bad breath.
40. All in one hand and nail treatment
Not only will olive oil can moisturize your hands,
but it will also nourish and strengthen your nails and, if you massage it into
your cuticles, it will keep them moist and soft too. An all in one nail and had
care treatment.
41. Remove nicotine stains from your fingers
and nails
Just rub some olive oil to your hands and it will
help remove nicotine stains from your fingers and nails.
42. Bye bye cellulite
Olive oil benefits can also help you fight
cellulite. Mix olive oil with coffee grounds from your morning coffee
and massage the areas of your body affected by cellulite; if you do it
regularly, soon you will see wonderful results
43. Wonderful massage oil
You can use olive oil as a massage oil, just add a
couple of drops of essential oil of your choice and enjoy wonderful spa
treatment in the comfort of your own home.
44. Olive oil shave
Use olive oil instead of shaving cream and enjoy
close shave and smooth, soft skin.
45. Tames the frizz
When you wake up and find it’s going to be a bad
hair day, try applying a little olive oil on your hair before combing (a small
amount goes a long way) and it will quickly tame dry and frizzy hairs.