Olive Oil - Good on More Levels Than One!
We’ve already talked about how olive oil can help lower your cholesterol, but this wonderful food has many more health benefits. We’ll cover a few more today.
First of all, the kind of olive oil you use is VERY important. Anytime you use olive oil for cooking or other home remedies ALWAYS use “First cold press, Extra Virgin Olive Oil.” First cold press means the oil was extracted from the olives from the first press, and that heat wasn’t used to assist in the extraction. This is important because the chemistry of the oil is altered when it comes into contact with heat. There certainly is a difference in cost, but a few dollars is well worth the health benefit. Note: “100% Pure Olive Oil” is the lowest quality you can find. Higher quality oils will have “virgin” or “extra virgin” on the label. “Light Olive Oil” does NOT mean reduced fat content. Light is referring to the color of the oil. You should also know that olive oil, while very good for you, IS fat when it’s all said and done, and contains about 120 calories per tablespoon.
The Mediterranean diet, which has been growing in popularity due in large part to its numerous health benefits, uses olive oil as its primary source of fat. Many even believe this substitution is one of the reasons for a reduced rate of heart disease in areas of the world that have a history of the use of olive oil as a staple of their diet. Olive oil contains Omega-3 fatty acids that I’m sure you’ve seen and heard advertised to promote heart health as well as overall health. Among other health benefits, Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to improve the elasticity of arteries.
Olive oil has also been found to have certain anti-inflammatory uses much like aspirin or ibuprofen. A U.S. study found that 50g of olive oil was equivalent to one-tenth of a dose of over the counter pain reliever (ibuprofen). Oleocanthal is the ingredient in olive oil that is responsible for this health benefit. The oleocanthal inhibits the activity of the enzymes involved in inflammation. The amount you would have to ingest to equal a dose of over the counter pain medication hardly makes this a viable pain reliever in itself, but if made a part of your diet it could subtly contribute to reduced discomfort in chronic pain sufferers.
Olive oil can also be used as a remedy for dry skin. There is a profound moisturizing property to olive oil due in large part to the antioxidant, vitamin E, found in olive oil. In addition to helping with dry skin, it can also help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. Ancient civilizations even used it as a remedy to help heal wounds. So if you get a little on your hands while cooking there’s no need to wash it off. Just rub it in!
Also, a friend of mine with absolutely gorgeous hair told me she uses olive oil in her hair as a moisturizer. Honestly, with all the health benefits for your insides, it’s no surprise to me that the benefits expand to the outside!
By: Carl McMinn/ Guest Writer