Liquid Gold: The Benefits Of Olive Oil

We all know olive oil to be a kitchen staple, used in cooking to make food that much tastier, but there’s so much more to it than that. There’s a reason why it’s called “liquid gold”, as it has many benefits to our health, but what exactly does it do for us? Here are some ways it can be beneficial for us internally as well as externally:

1. Rich in antioxidants

Not only does olive oil contain vitamins E and K, but it’s also full of antioxidants that can protect your body from harmful conditions like heart disease. This is due to the biological effects of the antioxidants that reduce inflammation and help prevent your blood cholesterol from oxidation.

2. Skin & hair health

Since olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, not only is it good for us to consume, but also to topically apply it to our skin and hair. The olive oil serves as a natural moisturizer suitable for all skin types and replenishes the skin from possible damaging factors caused by the sun. The vitamin E in olive oil can help treat many skin conditions from acne to psoriasis, as well as aiding in the prevention of hair loss.

3. Anti-inflammatory properties

Extra-virgin olive oil is known to reduce inflammation that contributes to many health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and arthritis. Oleic acid, the main fatty acid found in olive oil, also contributes to the reduction of inflammation in the body.

4. Healthy fats

The oleic acid mentioned above is the monounsaturated fat which comprises about 70% of the oil. This fatty acid not only reduces inflammation but also has been proven to have beneficial properties that fight cancer. Moreover, the monounsaturated fats in olive oil are pretty resistant to heat, which is one of the reasons why olive oil is used in healthy cooking.

There are many other benefits that olive has to offer us, so if you’re interested, try reading The Olive Oil Book, by Paul Lonergan & Jenni Whittaker. This book offers more information on the healthy properties of olive oil, as well as its many other uses in life such as cleaning. Find that and more on healthy cooking in our online library, www.dineread.com.