Olive oil also known as ‘Jaitoon ka Tel’ is an essential fruit oil with its origins being mainly in the Mediterranean regions. It is utilized for cooking purposes, developing cosmetic products and soaps, for medicinal purposes and as pharmaceutical supplements. The various types of Olive Oil are Virgin Olive Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Pure Olive Oil. Apart from being a cooking medium, Olive Oil also has several unique health benefits. Here are some of them:
1 . Helps Prevent Alzheimer’s
Studies have shown that oleocanthal, a polyphenol found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, reduces cognitive decline that comes with ageing including Alzheimer’s disease. Polyphenols – powerful antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil – also help to combat the oxidative stress associated with ageing.
2 . Regulates Blood Sugar Levels
Eating extra virgin olive oil as part of a balanced diet may help prevent or delay the onset of diabetes. Extra Virgin Olive Oil helps regulate and balance our insulin levels so that there are no sugar spikes.
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3 . Moisturizes The Skin
Unlike commercial moisturizers that can clog pores and aggravate a current skin condition, olive oil penetrates deeply into the skin while providing a cleansing effect. Try using olive oil at night as a substitute for your regular moisturizer. Apply the oil to your face and neck. Gently pat the skin with a tissue to wipe away any excess oil.
4 . Fights Ageing
Olive Oil contains 3 major antioxidants – Vitamin E, Polyphenols and phytosterols. Antioxidants when applied topically help protect the skin from premature skin ageing. Vitamin E partly accounts for the anti-ageing benefits of olive oil because it helps restore skin smoothness and protects against ultraviolet light. Hydroxytyrosol, a rather raw compound found in olive oil also prevents free radical damage to the skin.
5 . Keeps Blood Pressure In Check
Just as monosaturated fats (MUFA’s) can look after the health of your heart, monosaturated fats found in olive oil also contain high amounts of an essential fatty acid (EFA) called Omega3. Omega3 and MUFA keep your heart healthy by helping to lower blood pressure. It is called EFA because the body cannot make it by itself and therefore we must get it from food sources.
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6 . Prevents Osteoporosis
There is strong evidence that olive oil helps improve the amount of calcium in the blood which can have a positive effect on bone density, so it may prevent osteoporosis from developing. Olive Oil appears to be particularly beneficial when combined with Omega3 fatty acids.
7 . Helps Prevent Strokes
Stroke is caused by a disturbance of blood flow to the brain, either due to a blood clot or bleeding. In developed nations, stroke is the second most common cause of death, right after heart disease. After much research olive oil was found to be the only source of mono-saturated fat associated with a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.
Add Olive Oil to your diet to reap the many health benefits. Extra Virgin Olive – the oil from the first pressing of the olive fruit is green and has a full bodied flavour, is best consumed raw, as dressing for salads and dishes, in dips raw, as heating the oil can reduce its benefits. For cooking use Pure Olive Oil which is milder in taste and yellow in colour.
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