Ever wondered what’s the ‘liquid gold’? Yes, olive oil is the one.

Olive oil is extracted from the olive fruit. From ruling our kitchens to taking over the cosmetic world, olive oil has become a rage all over the world in recent times.

There is also a health fact to be revealed. “People from the Mediterranean, where olive oil is grown and consumed the most, have the lowest mortality rates in the world when it comes to cardiovascular diseases.”Weight loss, blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, cancer, arthritis or anything you name it, and olive oil has a cure for it.

Scientific Name:  Oleaeuropaea
Family: Oleaceae
Native: Mediterranean Basin
Also known as:JaitunKaTel (Hindi),
JeetaTailam (Telugu),  AlivEnney (Tamil), OudalaEnne (Kannada),
JaitunKaTel (Marathi), Oliyenna (Malayalam), JolopaiTel (Bengali)

Types of Olive oil

1. Virgin Olive Oil –The most popular variety, virgin olive oil is well-known cooking oil with a surprisingly low acid content. It is best suitable for people who want to enjoy the benefits of olive oil without spending a bomb.
2. Extra Virgin Olive Oil –Made by cold pressing olive fruit, this oil is considered to be the best for our body. But mind you, not everybody can afford to use extra virgin oil due to its high cost.
3. Pure Olive Oil –This oil is actually an amalgamation of refined and virgin olive oils. It has a high acidic content and hence is unsuitable for use.
4. Lampante Oil –The type that is used only as a fuel and is not suitable for cooking.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL

NAIL HEALTH:

Dull, lifeless, brittle nails are a few problems we encounter. But did you know olive oil can actually improve nail health?
The vitamin E in olive oil can improve the appearance of nails affected by an ailment
Essentials
2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil
Application

1. Simply dip a cotton ball in olive oil and dab it on your nails.
2. You can let it stay for about 30 minutes before washing it off with normal water.

PREVENTS BREAST CANCER:

According to a report from Saudi Arabian study, it was found that oleuropein, a natural compound found in olive leaf, has potential anti-breast cancer properties.
In another clinical trial conducted in Spain, it was found that women who consumed a diet containing olive oil were 63 percent less likely to contract breast cancer.

HELPS PREVENT DIABETES:

Including olive oil in your diet can also keep your blood sugar under control.
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a diet rich in mono and polyunsaturated fats, like the one that contains olive oil, can help prevent diabetes.In another study published by The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consumption of olive oil was linked to a reduced risk of diabetes in women.

PREVENTS ALZHEIMER’S:

According to the Scientific Research Institute in American, oleocanthal in olive oil can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The American Chemical Society has also come up with similar findings.
In an American study, extra virgin olive oil was found to improve learning and memory in mice, supporting the possibility of its replication in humans suffering from Alzheimer’s.

STRENGTHENS BONES:

If you thought calcium alone made your bones strong. Here comes olive oil which can strengthen the bones.
In a study that involved men consuming a Mediterranean diet, it was found that olive oil might contribute to strong bones. Their blood was found to contain higher levels of osteocalcin, which was an indication of the healthy bone formation.

TREATS DEPRESSION:

One of the amazing benefits of olive oil is to treat depression. Olive oil can increase the levels of serotonin, the brain chemical. This, it has been found, is similar to the effect of some antidepressants.

HELPS WEIGHT LOSS:

A study published in the Harvard School of Public Health had supported the efficacy of olive oil in aiding weight loss. The weight loss that occurred due to two different types of diets (a moderate-fat Mediterranean diet that includes olive oil, and a low-fat diet) were compared. By the end of the study, only 20 percent of the volunteers in the low-fat group were still following the diet.

RELIEVES CONSTIPATION:

Olive oil benefits the gastrointestinal tract and colon. The consistency and texture of olive oil help in stimulating your digestive system, making food move smoothly through the colon. When you take this oil on a regular basis, it helps in completely preventing constipation.
Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats. This helps in increasing mobility so that food can move through the colon without any problem. It also helps in speeding up bowel evacuation and prevents constipation.
This oil is rich in vitamins E and K, iron, omega-3 and 6 fatty acids and antioxidants. These nutrients improve your overall health, including the digestive tract, and help prevent constipation as well.

HELPS ELIMINATE KIDNEY STONES:

Olive oil consumption can also help dissolve kidney stones.

Essentials

• 2 ounces of lemon juice.
• 2 ounces of olive oil.
• Water.

Application

1. Take around 2 quarts of water in a pan and heat it on a medium flame.
2. Let it boil. Once it has reached the boiling point, remove from the heat.
3. Add around 2 ounces of fresh lemon juice and some extra virgin olive oil.
4. Mix it and store the water in the refrigerator after it has completely cooled down.

IMPROVES SEXUAL LIFE:

Ever wondered why all the great love stories originated from Italy – the land of olive oil?
It’s no surprise that olive oil is an excellent aphrodisiac. A proper massage with olive oil enhances blood circulation to all parts of the body, including the sex organs.

SKIN BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL

MOISTURIZES SKIN:

This oil contains a good amount of vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects the skin from various external factors like the harsh sunrays or the wind. The light texture of olive oil makes it a perfect non-sticky moisturizer that stays for long and suits all skin types.
Essentials
1 spoon of extra virgin olive oil
Application

1. After you have showered, leave your skin a little damp and massage the olive oil onto your face.
2. Leave it on for about 15 minutes, and then wash off with lukewarm water.

HELPS REMOVE MAKE-UP:

Virgin olive oil is an easy and comparatively cheap alternative to market brands.
Essentials

• 1/3 cup of yogurt
• ¼ cup of honey
• 2 teaspoons of olive oil

Application

1. Dip a couple of cotton balls in olive oil and rub them over your face to remove makeup.
2. You can also moisten a cotton pad with olive oil and use it to remove makeup on your eyes. In addition to removing makeup, the oil can also soften the skin around your eyes.

HELPS ANTI-AGEING PROPERTIES:

As you age, your skin starts to sag and develop wrinkles.  To avoid that, try this.
Essentials

• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• A pinch of sea salt

Application

1. Massage your face with a few drops of olive oil.
2. Mix the remaining oil with sea salt to make an exfoliant.
3. Add the lemon juice for a refreshing feeling.
4. Rub this mixture on those areas on your face that are dry, rough, and scaly.

ACTS AS LIP BALM:

Did you know olive oil can make your lips supple and pretty?
Essentials

• Crushed brown sugar
• A few drops of olive oil
• A dash of lemon juice

Application

1. Mix the ingredients and scrub your lips for five minutes just before you head to bed.
2. Olive oil helps smoothen your chapped lips. Sugar and lemon act as exfoliating agents.

HELAS CRACKED HEELS:

Exfoliate your heels using hot lemon water and rub olive oil on them generously for added moisture and smoothness. You can wear socks for quick relief.

HAIR BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL

KEEPS YOUR HAIR HEALTHY:

Olive oil, in combination with a few other ingredients, can work wonders to keep your hair healthy. The oil is rich in vitamin E that helps fight hair loss. Honey moisturizes your hair. It also contains other nutrients like magnesium, zinc, sulfur, calcium, and B vitamins that aid hair growth. The egg yolk is rich in protein, a nutrient that is the primary constituent of hair.
Essentials

• ½ a cup of olive oil
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• An egg yolk

Application

1. Mix the ingredients thoroughly till you get a smooth paste.
2.  Apply this paste to your hair and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
3.  Wash off with lukewarm water, and then follow up with a conditioner.

ACTS AS A PRE-SHAMPOO:

An olive oil massage before a shampoo helps in giving a distinct shine and strength to your hair.
Essentials
A small cup of olive oil
Application

1. Heat a cup of olive oil and apply it on your hair generously, especially on the scalp and the ends.
2. Leave it on for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water.

Olive oil moisturizes your hair and reduces scalp irritation.

BOTTOM LINE:

Finally, quality extra virgin olive oil is super healthy. It may just be the single healthiest fat on the planet.