The quality and living standards in contemporary life have improved, enabling more families to purchase and use olive oil over traditional cooking oils. Current research on the health benefits of consuming it has greatly influenced people’s choices. For instance, it has been found that people tend to live longer and healthier in regions where it is a staple part of the diet. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is unrefined and has more plant compounds and antioxidants than other edible oils. It’s the primary fat source in the Mediterranean diet.
The benefits of consuming olive oil
Olive oil contains antioxidants and fatty acids that can reduce inflammation. One of its primary antioxidants is oleocanthal, which has anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen. The monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) in the oil can increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) and lower “bad” cholesterol (LDL).
A Harvard School of Public Health study found that people who consumed at least seven grams of olive oil daily had a 28 percent lower risk of dementia-related deaths. It may help improve insulin sensitivity, which can help prevent or manage type 2 diabetes. The oil’s oleic acid and polyphenol antioxidants may help manage blood pressure levels.
Olive oil is easily the best choice for cooking and for one’s health. In addition to the health benefits of incorporating it into your diet, it has natural cosmetic qualities, as listed below.
An anti-itching remedy
People with dry skin caused by insufficient skin secretion fear winter when low humidity makes the skin itchy and uncomfortable. When the skin is so dry that applying your usual moisturizer is rendered ineffective, applying olive oil may prove beneficial. The oil’s vitamins A, D, and E have known therapeutic effects on wrinkles and skin allergies.
Hair care
Having beautiful hair can enhance one’s physical appearance and sense of well-being. Olive oil has been found to make hair silky and smooth. After shampooing, pour a small amount of warm water into the basin, drop in some olive oil (depending on the thickness and condition of one’s hair), and gently rub it directly into your hair. Regular use can prevent yellowing, reduce dandruff and hair loss, and produce hair that is soft, smooth, and beautiful.
Skincare
Applying olive oil to washed skin surfaces aids in moisture retention and nourishing the skin, eliminates and delays the appearance of wrinkles, and slows down skin aging. Applying the oil to the skin during summer can prevent UV damage and avoid sunburn, breakouts, and peeling. In winter, use it to rub your face, lips, hands, and feet to moisturize and protect the skin to prevent roughness and cracking.
After childbirth, using olive oil to massage the abdomen can help eliminate stretch marks. Rubbing the navel and abdomen with it and massaging with your hands will help degrade subcutaneous fat and weight loss. It can also help reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent scars after burns.
Lip care
During winter, when catching a cold or having an upset stomach, many people become distressed by the peeling and cracking of their lips. Applying a small amount of olive oil to the lips can recondition and smooth them within two to three days.
Bath
After bathing, while the pores are open, apply olive oil all over the body and wrap in a hot towel. Wait for ten minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Medical cosmetology experts consider “the skin of the neck to be the closest to the skin of the face.” The neck should be wrapped in a small towel, especially the chin part, and more oil should be applied.
Makeup and nails
Olive oil can be used as a foundation to nourish the skin, prevent makeup from falling off, and prevent the harmful substances in the products from damaging the skin. As a makeup remover, gently rub your face with olive oil to effectively remove oils, chemicals, and harmful residues to protect your face from damage. Apply a little bit of the oil to your lipstick to make it more glossy and glamorous. Rubbing your nails often with olive oil can make the nails shiny and clear.
Hand protection
In winter, your hands are most susceptible to aging as they are often exposed to cold water, sunlight, and polluted air. This results in oil and moisture loss plus oxidation. You may try your best to protect your pretty face, but the accidental show of a pair of pigmented, dry, and rough hands can reveal the secret of your age.
Olive oil can care for your delicate hands. Soaking your hands in warm olive oil can make your weekly manicures smooth and soft. Massaging your hands with the oil can aid blood circulation and accelerate the delivery of nutrients to the hands, reducing hand swelling. If there are barbs around your fingernails, you can cut off the barbs and soak your hands with olive oil. This can prevent the skin from becoming too dry, cracking the cuticle, and causing the barbs to regenerate.
Facial care
After washing your face, gently and thoroughly massage it with olive oil, and then use a facial steamer or cover it with a towel. This can help remove dirt in the pores invisible to the naked eye, further increase the luster and elasticity of the skin, eliminate fine wrinkles, and reduce or lighten dark spots.
Olive oil can also be used as a simple face mask. Heat it to about 37℃, add an appropriate amount of honey, soak a piece of gauze in the oil, place it over your face, and take it off after 20 minutes. It prevents skin aging, moisturizes, and removes spots and wrinkles, especially for those with dry skin.
Baby care
The skin of a baby is very delicate. Applying olive oil to parts like the armpits and buttocks can prevent the baby’s skin from being drowned in urine or sweat.
Olive oil: Unlock the health benefits
The bottom line is that olive oil is incredibly nutritious and has head-to-toe health benefits. So give your meals and body a good drizzle of this liquid gold!
Translated by Cecilia and edited by Maria
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