Olive oil, commonly known as “Jaitun ka Tel” in Hindi, is obtained by pressing whole olives which is generally used as vegetable oil for cooking, frying and, salad dressings. Olive oil is also used in many cosmetic products, soaps, medicines and, for lighting lamps. Olive oil is bright yellow or greenish golden in colour with a pungent aroma and has a bitter taste. Here are some of the amazing olive oil benefits for hair, skin and overall health.
Table of Contents
- Olive Oil: Nutritional Profile
- Benefits Of Olive Oil For Hair, Skin & Health
- 1. Acts as powerful antioxidant
- 2. Good for cardiovascular system
- 3. Reduces cancer risk
- 4. Manages diabetes
- 5. Reduces the risk of stroke
- 6. Acts as antimicrobial agent
- 7. Good for digestion
- 8. Acts as a Brain Food
- 9. Helps in weight loss
- 10. Reduces anxiety & depression
- 11. Works as a pain relief
- 12. Good for bones
- 13. Olive oil benefits for the skin
- 14. Olive oil benefits for hair
- 15. Healthiest oil to cook with
- The bottom line
Olive Oil: Nutritional Profile
- 100 ml of olive oil provides 884 calories of energy.
- It contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are beneficial for health.
- It also contains 70 percent of oleic acid as well as Vitamin E and Vitamin K.
- Antioxidants such as Polyhenols, tocopherols, squalene, terpenic etc.
Benefits Of Olive Oil For Hair, Skin & Health
Given below are some of the benefits of Olive oil:
1. Acts as powerful antioxidant
Due to the presence of polyphenols, vitamin E and other antioxidants, olive oil protects our body from free radical damage; as a result, it keeps us healthy and protects us from heart diseases and cancer.
2. Good for cardiovascular system
Benefits of olive oil include regulated cholesterol levels with lower levels of LDL cholesterol. Olive oil is full of polyphenols that help in lowering down the blood pressure; hence it is useful for patients with hypertension.
3. Reduces cancer risk
The presence of polyphenols in olive oil, makes it a great antioxidant. Effective consumption of olive oil reduces the risk of bowel cancers, breast colon, endometrium, prostate etc. Both hydroxytyrosol and tocopherol have great anti-cancer properties.
4. Manages diabetes
Olive oil has an antioxidant known as tyros, which improves the insulin resistance which prevents the sudden spikes in the blood sugar levels. It is also useful in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus.
ALSO READ: What Foods To Avoid With Diabetes? 13 Foods Bad For Diabetes
5. Reduces the risk of stroke
The presence of polyhenols in olive oil reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Therefore, the cholesterol deposition in the arteries supplying blood to the brain is reduced. This helps in reducing the risk of strokes.
6. Acts as antimicrobial agent
Another benefit of olive oil is that it contains oleuropein, which is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal in nature. The consumption of olive oil protects up from different types of infections.
7. Good for digestion
Olive oil works as a lubricating agent that lubricates our digestive system and keeps it healthy and going. It also regulates bowel movements and prevents constipation.
8. Acts as a Brain Food
It has neuroprotective effects on the body. Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease which is caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. This disease is characterised by loss of memory. Oleocanthal that are present in olive oil helps to clear out these plaques, which in turn shows improvement in patients with this disease. It also reverses learning and memory deficits. Discover more foods that help in boosting memory and concentration.
9. Helps in weight loss
Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fatty acids such as, oleic acid. These fatty acids are good for our heart and also help in maintaining blood sugar levels. It also makes us feel full, thus making us eat less food, in turn reducing our calorie intake, which leads to weight loss. Discover more foods that help you lose weight fast without dieting.
10. Reduces anxiety & depression
Olive oil has neuroprotective effects that helps in reducing anxiety and depression of a person.
11. Works as a pain relief
The presence of Oleocanthal has anti-inflammatory effects. It helps in reducing inflammation, swelling and spasms, which in turn reduces the pain. Person suffering from osteoarthritis can use olive oil to massage over the knees in order to get relief from pain.
12. Good for bones
Another benefit of olive oil is that it protects the bones as it has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects which helps in bone resorption. It also increases the formation of bones that helps in maintaining the mineral density of bones. Therefore, it prevents the risk of osteoporosis.
13. Olive oil benefits for the skin
Olive oil works wonders for our skin. The presence of Vitamin E and antioxidant content of Olive oil is helpful in maintaining healthy skin as it affects the skin in various ways such as-
- Skin moisturiser
- Exfoliator
- Can be used as makeup remover
- Prevents formation of fine lines and wrinkles
- Lighten scars and stretch marks
- Prevents acne
- Helps repairing cracked heels
14. Olive oil benefits for hair
Olive oil is beneficial for hair in following ways-
- Hydrates scalp and reduces itching and dryness
- Reduces dandruff and hair fall
- Makes hair healthy and shiny
- Promotes hair growth
15. Healthiest oil to cook with
A research from 2018 suggests that olive oil is the most stable cooking oil, which resists degradation better than the other oils with high smoke point. Another study from 2015 stated that cooking vegetables such as tomato, eggplant, and pumpkin in olive oil actually boosts their antioxidant content.
The bottom line
The bottom line is that, olive oil is nutritious and no other oil can be compared with its flavour, versatility and other health benefits. One should use this oil in all the meals and recipes.
