Health benefits of olive oil

Olive oil is a major factor of the Mediterranean diet and It is rich in antioxidants. It consists of monounsaturated fatty acids, the main fat, which experts suggested as a healthful fat.

The antioxidants in olive oil can support to protect the body from cellular damage that can help to maintain a range of health conditions and diseases. There is a kind of olive oil that is called Extra virgin olive oil which has some bitter flavour, but it has more antioxidants than other types, as it undergoes the least processing.

In this article, you can find out more about the health benefits of olive oil and find some tips on how to use it.

What is olive oil?


Olive oil gets from olives that are the fruit of the olive tree. Olives are a traditional or ancient crop of the Mediterranean region. People can make olive oil by pressing whole olives.

You can use olive oil in cooking, cosmetics, medicine, soaps, and as a fuel for traditional lamps. The real origin of Olive oil came from the Mediterranean but now it is popular around the world.

In the diet, people make olives in olive oil or salted water to preserve that. They eat them as a whole or chopped and some added to pizzas and other dishes.

You can use olive oil as a dip for bread, for drizzling on pasta cooking or as a salad dressing. Some people have it by the spoonful for medicinal purposes.

Olive oil is normally obtained by pressing whole olives and It is commonly called ‘Jaitun ka Tel’ in Hindi. It is a commonly used vegetable oil for cooking, frying and salad dressing. 


Nutritional Value of Olive Oil

• 100 ml of Olive oil gives us with 884 calories of energy

• It has a high content of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids that are beneficial for health. It consists of about 70 per cent of oleic acid. It also contains vitamin K and vitamin E.

• Olive oil contains Polyphenols, tocopherols, phytosterols, squalene, terpenic acids and several other Antioxidants.

 Health Benefits of Olive Oil:

Let's discuss about health benefits of olive oil:

• Powerful Antioxidant:

Olive oil is high in polyphenols, vitamin E and various other antioxidants.  

These antioxidants prevent our body from free radical damage which keeps us healthy and protects us from diseases of heart, cancer etc.


Health benefits of olive oil extra virgin


• Good for our Cardiovascular System:

Having Olive oil is Incorporated with lower levels of LDL cholesterol. 

Olive oil is high in polyphenols. These polyphenols support to reduce blood pressure.  Olive oil is a useful product for patients with hypertension.


• Reduces Risk of Cancer:

Polyphenols in olive oil are good antioxidants.

Eating olive oil effectively decreases the risk of cancers of bowel, breast, colon, endometrium, prostate etc. 


Health benefits of olive oil on skin


• Management of Diabetes Mellitus:

Olive oil has an antioxidant that is called tyrosol. Tyrosol develops insulin resistance that preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.

Olive oil is very useful in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.  


• Reduces Risk of Stroke:

Polyphenols in olive oil decrease levels of cholesterol in the blood. Thus cholesterol deposition in the arteries supplying blood to the brain is protected. This greatly decreases the risk of stroke.  

• Antimicrobial:

Olive oil consists of oleuropein. Oleuropein has potent antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. 

Consuming olive oil prevents us from a variety of infections.

• Good for Digestion:

Olive oil manages our digestive system and keeps it healthy. It also regulates regular bowel movements, preventing constipation.


• Helps in Weight Loss:

Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids like oleic acid. Monounsaturated fatty acids are better for our heart and also help in managing ideal blood sugar levels.

Olive oil also gives a feeling of satiety, that makes us eat less food thereby decreasing our calorie intake. This Tues to weight loss.  

• Reduces Anxiety and Depression:

Olive oil also helps in neuroprotective effects. It helps to manage effectively decreasing anxiety and depression.  

• Pain Relief:

Oleocanthal in olive oil presents anti-inflammatory effects. It effectively decreases inflammation, swelling and spasm and thus reducing pain.


Health benefits of drinking olive oil


Benefits on Skin

Olive oil is very helpful and a boon for our skin. Vitamin E and antioxidant content of Olive oil help to manage healthy skin. Below are the several  various effects of Olive oil on skin:

• Hydrates and  moisturizes our skin effectively

.work as a good exfoliator

• Can be used to clean makeup

• Protects formation of fine lines and wrinkles

• Support to lighten scars and stretch marks

• Protects acne

• Manage to repair cracked heels

Benefits on Hair

• Olive oil hydrates our scalp and decreases itching and dryness

• Lowers and prevents dandruff

• Makes our hair healthy and shiny

• Decreases and prevents hair fall

• Develop the growth of hair

Types of Olive Oil

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is got from cold-pressing olives which unrefined, expensive and also it has excellent flavour and odour. It has rich factors of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is the best quality and also the most beneficial and essential type for our health.

• Virgin Olive Oil

Virgin olive oil is also got from cold pressing olives and contain a low acid content.

It is the most popular and famous type and less expensive than extra virgin variety. It is better in flavour and smell.

Health benefits of olive oil and garlic

• Pure Olive Oil

Although it is called pure, this type of Olive oil is actually a blend of virgin and refined oil. It has a rich acid content and not suggested for consumption.

• Refined Olive Oil

Refined olive oil is got by pressing lower quality olives and further subjecting them to heat, chemicals and filtration. It is bland in taste and it is bad for health.