Olive oil is the oil extracted from the Mediterranean fruit olives. It is one of the most befitting & benefitting oils, which is versatile in its usage. Olive oil is widely used worldwide as it is an excellent add-on to almost anything and everything. And this takes us to pen down olive oil benefits, uses, and possible side effects.
Olive Oil Health Benefits
1. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Studies have shown that phenols in olive oil may help in boosting intestinal immunity and promotes good bacteria for gut health. It is very effective for people who have inflammatory bowel disease or colitis.
2. Anti-Bacterial Properties
The anti-bacterial side is among the notable benefits of eating olive oil. Furthermore to add, olive oil has some nutrients that help kill harmful bacteria from the body, especially in the stomach.
Also Read: Virgin Coconut Oil Benefits
3. Olive is Antioxidant
Olive oil has antioxidant properties which carry compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, squalene, and tocopherols. They reduce free radicals and prevent damage to the cellular membrane. It also has beneficial effects on aging and cancer risk.
4. Prevent Heart Diseases
Eating food with olive oil seems to lower heart-related risks like heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil protect us from cardiovascular disease, brain dysfunction, and cancer. Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant.
5. Aids in Weight Loss
Consuming fats in high amounts causes weight gain, and olive oil increases the levels of antioxidants in the blood and controls weight effectively.
6. Reduces Anxiety & Depression
One of the most prominent olive oil health benefits is that it protects our nervous system and helps treat depression and anxiety. In addition, food like olive oil has unsaturated fats, which are better than trans fats consume.
Also Read: Best Cooking Oils in India
7. Good for Skin
It has moisturizing & nourishing properties that hydrate the face and body. In addition, olive oil is rich in vitamin A, E, K, and D, making it an ideal choice for skincare.
8. Beneficial for Hair
It adds shine and thickness and makes your hair soft. In addition, olive oil has chemical elements like oleic acid, palmitic acid, and squalene, which provide goodness to follicles.
9. Maintain Bone Health
Olive oil supplements improve bone inflammation and reduce oxidative stress from painful bones and joints. Olive oil performs even better if taken with fish oil containing omega-3 acids.
10. Control High Blood Pressure
Controlling high blood pressure is another known olive oil benefit, as it has compounds called polyphenols, which are micronutrients with antioxidant properties. Polyphenols are meant to cure cardiovascular issues like lowering blood pressure.
Olive Oil Uses
Nowadays, olive oil is widely used in almost all continents and countries. However, everyone uses it in their own convenient and required ways. But some of the significant uses of olive oil are;
Also Read: MCT Oil Uses
1. Use for Cooking
Cooking with olive oil is very beneficial & healthy. It has unsaturated fat, antioxidants, and vitamin E, protecting us from free radicals that damage cells. It is suitable for frying, sautéing, baking, or drizzling in salads or dips.
2. Use for Hair
People with frizzy and damaged hair can try olive oil for the best results. It makes the management of hair simple. Olive oil also reduces and eliminates split ends. It even treats dandruff.
3. Use for Skin
Olive oil is an excellent choice for skin care as it has antioxidant properties that prevent skin ageing. It also removes makeup naturally and cleanses your skin. In addition, olive helps keep the skin hydrated, and repairs damaged skin tissues.
Olive Oil Side Effects
Everything has coin sides, and so does olive oil. It always had been a hype that olive oil has ample benefits and is very nutritional. But, one must also see the other side of the coin; it also has some drawbacks, which we have listed here.
1. Can Cause Acne
Olive oil in excess can make your face, face acne and pimples. This is possible because it is heavy oil and doesn’t quickly get absorbed in the skin and clog the pores.
2. It Might Cause Allergies
Some people are oil sensitive, especially to olive oil. If you know your allergies, avoid them as much as possible because initial irritation can lead to diseases like dermatitis and eczema.
3. It Can Cause Blackheads
It’s sticky and oily elements can invite blackheads on your face. In addition, this greasy oil can build a layer on the skin that accumulates dirt which turns into blackheads.
4. High on Calories
Calories are one of the significant olive oil side effects. As it has more calories than refined sugar. So, adding excess olive oil to your diet may lead to obesity. And if weight increases, insulin resistance also increases, eventually leading to metabolic changes.
5. Not for Dry Skin
Olive oil has oleic acid, which breaks and damages the skin’s natural moisturizing capability in dry skin types.
