Olive oil is known to be an outstanding health care product. It is used in many different ways both in cooking and in cosmetology. So, what is true about the magnificent properties of this product?
Benefits of Virgin vs. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: What is Better?
First of all, let us find out what sort you would better use. The most popular two are extra virgin and virgin. What is the difference between them?
Extra virgin olive oil is like an olive fresh juice. There is no preservative or additives in this product. This oil is produced through mechanical pressing only, without any chemical or biological flavors. Olives are just washed and left to infuse. This means you end up with a high-quality product. This recipe is the same ancient Egyptians and Greeks used.
Extra virgin olive oil has the maximum nutritional value and does not lose it for 18 months, and some sorts up to two years.
It can be used like any other oil, but it is best for making sauces and dressing salads, since it is a purely organic product that has many health beneficial properties.
Olive oil of extra virgin type may have various tastes (apple, walnut, herbs etc.), but the most important feature is bitterness. It may slightly fade after months of storing, but should always stay. If you do not taste it, this means olive oil is not extra virgin.
Virgin olive oil is almost the same to an extra one. The difference is only in acidity, which is 0.8% for extra virgin and 2% for virgin oil.
The same technology is used for producing both, however, like in making wine, there are some things only a master is able to make. Anyway, it is OK to use virgin except an extra virgin olive oil, but the last one is simply better in nutritional value.
All other sorts, like refined or pomace, are made with chemical additives. These are way worth in vitamins content than virgin oils.
Benefits of Drinking Olive Oil
Being one of the basic components of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil has a positive effect on the digestive system. The secret is the high content of monounsaturated fatty acids in the product, in particular – oleic acid, which lowers the level of cholesterol in blood. Olive oil is easily absorbed by your body. It reduces appetite, speeds up metabolism and has a beneficial effect on stomach.
Regular consumption of olive oil is an excellent prevention of cardiovascular diseases: it strengthens vessels and makes them more elastic.
Most of the medicines that help reduce blood pressure are created with the leaves of olive tree. In addition, olive oil has a beneficial effect on bone tissue, preventing the loss of calcium, which makes the product especially valuable for children.
The benefit of olive oil is also that linoleic acid, which is part of its composition, promotes rapid healing of wounds and burns, and it is useful for maintaining muscle tone and normal functioning of body tissues. In addition, linoleic acid is good for vision and coordination of movements.
Olive oil was one of the most effective remedies for the treatment of psychological disorders in Ancient Greece.
To achieve the best results, consume one tablespoon of olive oil in the morning and before going to sleep. This way you will help your stomach work properly, so various gastrointestinal tract diseases can be cured or prevented. It is also a good idea to mix lemon juice with olive oil, but do not use too much, as such mixture might be too acid for you.
Moreover, regular consumption of 1 tablespoon of olive oil in mornings will enhance any diet, so you will lose weight faster.
There are also some contraindications of drinking olive oil, such as stomach diseases, caused by hyperacidity. Ask your doctor before consuming olive oil regularly, especially as is.
Benefits of Olive oil on Skin
Olive oil is a universal natural cosmetic remedy. You will be surprised at how miraculous the oil is and how much it can make your life easier, if you start using it for not only salad dressings and dinners, but also as a skin care product.
Notice that only extra virgin olive oil (virgin is also acceptable) is good for applying on skin. Do not use refined one or any other.
Olive oil is unique as it contains a large amount of squamene (moisturizing component), calcium, iron, copper, as well as vitamins A, D and E, neutralizing the effect of free radicals. These radicals make skin fade and age faster, so wrinkles appear earlier. Moreover, vitamin E is by far the most popular and universal antioxidant.
The vitamins A and D contained in the oil participate in the renewal of the epidermis and protect against environmental pollution, as well as ultraviolet rays. Moreover, as we have mentioned, olive oil also helps with sunburn, as an antibacterial emollient and moisturizer.
Find out more about how other oils positively effects skin:
Seawater and chlorinated water in pools exacerbate the dehydration of skin, which begins to ‘feel thirsty’. That is why it is good to use olive oil on summer holidays. In addition to proper nutrition, which helps to moisturize the skin from the inside, olive oil is a unique external remedy that perfectly tones and heals the skin of face and body.
So, how can olive oil help your body skin?
- Forget about ineffective creams in winter, that do not help your hands become soft again. Apply some extra virgin olive oil and put on thin cotton gloves overnight. This way your hands will always look nice and young.
- Take a warm bath and add a few tablespoons of olive oil to the water. This will help soften and moisturize your skin. For additional smell, you can add a few essential oils – for example, lavender or jasmine.
- Olive oil helps to make your feet soft and the skin silky. It fights corns and calluses better than any cream. Gently rub as much olive oil as you need to cover the surface of your foot and leave it overnight.
Benefits of Olive Oil for Face
If you feel your face skin dry and tired, a light massage with the use of olive oil is enough to make it rest. You need only a few drops to feel the result almost immediately. Your face will look much younger and get elasticity and freshness.
Moreover, you can use olive oil as a makeup remover. It can be used even for eyelids. Just apply a little on the cotton pad and cleanse the face.
If your lips are dry, apply some olive oil on them. It is also a good idea to do so after you remove lipstick. This way lips skin will stay nourished and moisturized for long.
Of course, you can make masks with olive oil. The most beneficial one is with oil as is. Warm it a bit and apply on face skin for a half of an hour. You can lubricate the flaky skin areas several times a day. It is no less useful for the withering skin, which requires the intake of vitamins to maintain elasticity, as well as moisturizing to give it velvety and softness. In addition, the ability of olive oil to smooth wrinkles is also important. For normal skin, this mask will be an excellent prevention. In this case, it is applied 2-3 times a week for a half of an hour.
Olive Oil Benefits for Hair Growth, Repair and Shine
Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent healing remedy for any type of hair. Apply a little olive oil on damp hair evenly along the entire length and wrap the head with a heated towel. After 20 minutes, remove the towel from your head, and you will see that your hair has acquired the shine of healthiness. Moreover, you will feel the difference in the structure of your hair. The oil is well washed off with warm water and shampoo.
Regular use of hair masks with olive oil (you can add some other ingredients) will make your hair grow faster.
To enhance the effect, apply it overnight. It will be rather hard to sleep with oily hair, but the result is absolutely worth it.
Olive oil is actually a miraculous remedy for all of your body. You can (and probably should) use it both internally and externally. All the vitamins in its composition will make your body look and feel healthy. How do you like using olive oil most? Share with us!
