The Amazing Benefits of Olive Oil That You Should Know
Posted on 1/04/20 7:34 PM
Olive oil is gaining a lot of popularity due to the healthy fat and benefits that come with it. The high monounsaturated fat present in olive oil makes it a very good choice when used for cooking. It comes with a wide range of other health benefits as well. Here’s everything you need to know about this amazing oil.
What is Olive Oil?
Olive oil is obtained from olives. Grown widely in the Mediterranean region, olive oil is made by pressing whole olive fruits. It is used in a number of different ways such as cooking, as medicine, soaps and even cosmetics.
The Different Types of Olive Oil
There are a few olive oil types you should know about if you’re planning to switch over to olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil
One of the most heard of oil is the extra virginoliveoil type. This type of olive oil is made by directly extracting the oil from the olive fruit. This is done by pressing or grinding the olives in certain conditions that preserve the taste. This method of extracting is known as cold-press. This method keeps the flavour that may be lost when it is exposed to very high temperatures. With this method, there are no chemical treatments used at all. Virgin oil also means that the oil is not refined.
Light and extra light olive oil Extra light olive oil and extra light virgin oil are types of olive oil that refer to the flavour and colour of the oil and not the calorie content. Extra light olive oil usually is mild and pale since it’s ultra-refined. Extra light olive oil comes with a higher smoke point as it can withstand higher temperatures. This type of oil is best suited for baking or cooking, that require a neutral-tasting oil.
When it comes to salad dressings and other dishes where the flavour of the fruit is important, then extra-virgin oil is the way to go.
Health Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil is not just used for cooking. It comes with a whole lot of other health benefits as well. Here are a few olive oil health benefits that you just cannot ignore.
Good for digestion
Olive oil is known to work wonders when it comes to your colon and gastrointestinal tract. It helps stimulate the digestive system and make the food move smoothly. Olive oil helps speed up bowel movement and hence is great when one suffers from constipation.
Helps treat depression
According to experts, olive oil helps to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain. Most anti-depressants also work towards stimulating the production of serotonin, the happiness hormone.
Promotes brain health
Extra virgin olive oil comes with a good amount of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids that are great for your brain and memory.
Improves skin health
There are plenty of olive oil benefits for skin that are becoming very popular. Vitamin E present in olive oil improves skin health to a great extent. It treats acne, inflammation and even dryness. It improves skin elasticity and the anti-oxidants, and minerals present in olive oil help fight the free radicals.
Promotes hair health
Olive oil benefits for hair are also known to work, and more and more people include it in their hair routine. Olive oil is a great way to moisturize your hair and bring your hair back to life. It comes with smoothing properties that are fast gaining recognition all over the world. The Vitamin E present in olive oil makes your hair very strong and also prevents hair fall to a large extent. When it comes to dandruff, olive oil is known to be a helpful remedy. It reduces scalp irritation, and this further helps to reduce dandruff.
So if you’re looking to make olive oil a part of your daily diet or health routine, then make sure to invest in only good quality olive oil for best results.
