10 Surprising Benefits Of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil is a food that can be very beneficial when consumed within a healthy diet. We will tell you more below.
Extra virgin olive oil is a product widely used in gastronomy, mainly for its mild flavor. However, it is also used often because it is said to be very good for health.
For years, it has been said that it is capable of providing health benefits, when included in a healthy diet. Therefore, it is not surprising that it continues to be the subject of investigation.
So much interest is generated by this food that it continues to be used for various issues. That is, in addition to being used in the preparation of various recipes, it is used in cosmetics. For example, in the production of soaps, styling creams, moisturizing shampoos and cream baths.
Still not including extra virgin olive oil in your diet? We tell you 10 important benefits to encourage you to consume it more frequently.
Benefits of extra virgin olive oil
Extra virgin olive oil has been found to contain antioxidants, monounsaturated fats, and oleic acid. Three substances that have been linked to reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and improving cardiovascular health in general.
On the other hand, there is a study that confirms that olive oil is a safe product, which can help reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers.
1. Helps to lose weight
Extra virgin olive oil is a food that can be included in a diet to lose weight, since it contains healthy fats. However, it should always be consumed in moderation, as its excessive consumption can have a laxative effect.
Of course, if we want to improve our diet and lose weight in a healthy way, we must go to an endocrinologist or nutritionist to tell us what is the most appropriate for our case.
According to a study published in 2018: “a diet enriched with olive oil followed for at least three months can reduce weight, waist circumference and BMI (body mass index), in individuals without cardiovascular events previous ”.
2. Relieves some minor discomfort
Due to its oleocanthal contents, olive oil has some anti-inflammatory action. Therefore, it could help reduce pain associated with the joints and muscles.
In the popular sphere, it is said that a massage with a little of this oil can help to relieve pain and swelling of a localized part of the body. However, to obtain such benefit, one would have to consume olive oil within a healthy diet and, of course, within the framework of an active lifestyle.
3. Could prevent mental decline
Due to its content of healthy monounsaturated fats, olive oil and, in general, the Mediterranean diet, could delay mental deterioration, which is linked to mental illnesses such as Alzheimer’s. However, the studies are still inconclusive.
4. It would have anti-cancer properties
Although recent reviews indicate that more research is needed in human models, there is a hypothesis that olive oil consumption could reduce the risk of some types of cancer.
This important effect could be related to the high content of oleic acid, which is the predominant fatty acid in this food.
5. It would be a good ally against diabetes
In a study published by the scientific journal Diabetes Care, it was revealed that any Mediterranean diet that includes olive oil is capable of reducing cases of type II diabetes by up to 50%.
This is because this food contains healthy fats that may help regulate blood sugar levels and insulin production.
6. Improves the immune response
Olive oil is rich in antioxidants and other essential nutrients that can help boost the activity of the immune system. Therefore, there are those who consume it regularly to maintain (or improve, as the case may be) their health. Of course, always within the framework of a healthy diet, since otherwise it is not possible to appreciate benefits.
It is interesting to know that evidence has been found that the function of some types of white blood cells, such as T lymphocytes, can be enhanced by the consumption of this food.
7. Helps control blood pressure
Due to its content of antioxidants and healthy fats, regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps improve the health of the cardiovascular system and, by extension, could help regulate diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
8. Regulates cholesterol
It is often said that extra virgin olive oil can be a good ally in diets aimed at reducing the levels of bad cholesterol in the body and also regulating the total concentration of cholesterol.
This is because the monounsaturated fats it contains increase the levels of good cholesterol and moderate those of bad cholesterol.
9. Extra virgin olive oil cares for hair health
The healthy fats and nutrients in olive oil have also been used to improve (and maintain) hair health. For this reason, various products (shampoos, styling creams, etc.) have been made with this food. And fortunately, it has proven to be effective.
In addition to consuming extra virgin olive oil within a healthy diet, there are those who apply homemade masks made with this food, to nourish, soften and revitalize their hair.
10. Moisturizes the skin naturally
It is often said that one of the best natural moisturizers for the skin is olive oil. For this reason, those who apply olive oil to their skin comment that this way they are able to deeply nourish it and soften it, without promoting the production of sebum and the accumulation of dirt. Of course, the oil is applied for a specified period and then rinsed off. They don’t leave it all day.
Keep in mind that each type of skin is different, therefore, although olive oil can be very beneficial in some cases, in others it is best to consult a dermatologist first.
The multifaceted extra virgin olive oil
As we have seen, extra virgin olive oil is a food that is often used in various fields, given its natural potential. If you have not yet encouraged to integrate it into your diet, we recommend that you consider it, because you could be benefiting in several ways.
