5 Terrific Uses for Olive Oil

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The benefits of olive oil have long been explored. The fact that it contains monounsaturated fatty acids allows experts to believe that this dietary fat is healthy and useful for the human body.

Olive oil, as its name suggests, is made from olives of an olive tree, traditionally originating in the Mediterranean. Ranging from preventing health diseases, it is known for going as far as to protect your body from cellular damage.

Here are some uses of olive oil which recommend its frequent use.

Benefit 1: Helps Guard the Body against Cardiovascular Diseases

It has been observed that people who follow the Mediterranean diet generally have a longer life expectancy, as well as a lower chance of developing cardiovascular diseases. The reason for this has been attributed to the fact that olive oil is the primary source of fat in this particular diet.

Olive oil is useful for preventing cardiovascular diseases as it replaces the unhealthy saturated and trans-fatty acids that one gets from consuming animal fat. Olive oil is also a source that is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which helps bring down inflammation and improve cholesterol levels.

This allows your heart to function better, putting less strain on the valves, thus significantly reducing significantly the chances of heart disease.

Benefit 2: Aids Metabolic Syndrome

The Metabolic Syndrome features-disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and high blood sugar levels.

Olive oil can do wonders to reducing Metabolic Syndrome by lowering inflammations, blood sugar levels, triglyceride (blood fat) levels, as well as “bad” cholesterol. It appears to contain high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is commonly known as “good” cholesterol.

Benefit 3: Prevents and Repairs Liver Disease

Olive oil and extra-virgin olive oil have oleic acid, which with its phenolic compounds can massively help with liver inflammations, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, which would otherwise result in liver damage.

Benefit 4: Can help with Depression

This might cause you to raise your eyebrows, but it has been proven that consuming a healthy amount of olive oil can help with clinical depression and anxiety.

Research has been conducted which substantiated the claim that olive oil helps with the psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety, as those who consumed trans-fats (present in fast food), generally had more depressive symptoms than those who ate olive oil.

The unsaturated fats in olive oil are much better to consume for good metal health than the saturated fats from animal oils. It is interesting to note that consuming olive oil can help with other psychological illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease (which causes progressive memory degeneration).

Benefit 5: Contains Antioxidants for Skin and Hair

We have established that olive oil is excellent for consuming but who knew that it was also amazing for use on the skin and hair.

It contains antioxidants, which prevent the cell-damaging oxidation process that might even lead to cancer. Rubbing olive oil on your skin can help put a pause on premature aging. Some experts suggest applying olive oil to the skin after sun exposure to help prevent the accumulation of cancer-causing cells.

Olive oil contains Vitamins A, D, E, and K, which are superb for the skin and help solve conditions like eczema. This oil also helps soften the skin and hair, locking in the essential moisture to keep both glowing. Hair nourished by using olive oil tends to grow stronger, at a faster rate.

Conclusion

There are many uses of olive oil that can help one live a longer and healthier life. Olive oil can help nourish the body when consumed as well as when applied externally! A good dose for consumption is having half a tablespoon daily.

Hope this helps!