Olive oil is derived from olive fruit that contains monosaturated fatty acids. Olive oil is obtained by pressing ripened whole olives. This oil is a versatile ingredient with plenty of uses including cooking, salad dressing, brain health, skin moisturizer, hair treatment, wood furniture conditioner, and stuck zippers.
It is a popular ingredient in cooking as it is healthy and provides flavor to food items. It is expensive compared to other oils since it has low supply and high demand. Olive oil offers various health benefits as it is rich in healthy fats, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Most people add olive oil to their daily diet because it improves overall health and reduces the risk of chronic diseases. Let us explore more about olive oil in this article.
Overview Of Olive Oil
Olive oil is considered one of the healthiest oils because it contains many beneficial compounds. It is popular for cooking, strengthening hair, moisturizing the skin, and as a remedy for sore throats and wounds. This oil can help protect against inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases. People have been consuming olive oil for years because it is rich in essential vitamins and minerals.
The nutritional facts of olive oil are given below;
- Fat- 14 g
- Carbohydrates- 0 g
- Calories- 119
- Protein- 0 g
- Sugars- 0 g
- Fiber- 0 g
- Sodium- 0.3 mg
- Vitamin K- 8.1 mcg
- Vitamin E- 1.9 mg
Olive oil is free of carbs and protein. It contains monosaturated fats that provide plenty of health benefits. Also, this oil provides the essential vitamins and minerals needed for the body. There are different types of olive oil. They include extra virgin oil, virgin olive oil, cold-pressed olive oil, refined olive oil, and olive pomace oil. Among these different types of olive oil, extra virgin olive oil is considered to be the healthiest.
Benefits Of Olive Oil
Olive oil provides various health benefits, such as;
- Reduces inflammation
Olive oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It helps treat chronic inflammation by reducing the levels of certain inflammatory markers.
- Rich in antioxidants
Olive oil is packed with antioxidants that protect the body against free radicals and oxidative stress. It also lowers the risk of chronic diseases by acting as a shield around the cells.
- Improves heart health
Many studies found that those who consumed olive oil had less chance of getting heart disease. It helps increase HDL (good cholesterol) and lowers blood pressure, which supports heart health.
- Fights off Alzheimer’s disease
This oil is beneficial in treating and preventing Alzheimer’s disease. It reduces the risk of developing cognitive impairment and memory loss by eliminating beta-amyloid plaques, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation.
- Lowers the risk of diabetes
Those using olive oil were able to reduce blood sugar levels by slowing down the absorption of glucose in the bloodstream. It helps keep the blood sugar levels stable and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes.
- Prevents cancer
Several components of olive oil are said to have anti-cancer properties. It reduces the risk of developing cancer by eliminating oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
- Treats arthritis
Many studies show that olive oil helps treat arthritis and ease pain.
- Possesses antibacterial properties
Olive oil is rich in antibacterial properties. It contains compounds that help kill harmful bacteria.
- Promotes brain health
Since olive oil is a brain-boosting food, it helps promote brain health. It also helps slow down age-related decline in memory and mental sharpness.
- Supports gut microbiome
Olive oil can help promote gut microbiome which helps improve digestion. It can help reduce inflammation in the GI tract and maintain and promote the growth of good bacteria.
- Aids in weight loss
Since olive oil helps keep blood sugar levels stable, it can suppress cravings that might lead to overeating and weight gain.
- Enhances immune function
Olive oil supports a healthy immune system and helps manage autoimmune conditions.
Side Effects Of Olive Oil
Even though olive oil offers plenty of health benefits, it can also cause various side effects including;
- Allergies- those allergic to olive oil can develop symptoms like respiratory allergies, dermatitis, eczema, and other serious allergic reactions.
- Low blood sugar levels- since olive oil has blood sugar-lowering benefits, it can cause the blood sugar levels to drop too low.
- Skin rashes- for some people, consumption of olive oil can cause skin rashes.
- Upset stomach- consuming too much olive oil can sometimes cause an upset stomach including diarrhea, heartburn, or indigestion.
- Weight gain Since olive oil is high in calories, it can cause weight gain.
- Acne- Olive oil can cause acne in some people.
- Low blood pressure- low blood pressure can be caused by consuming olive oil.
- Gallbladder stones- for some people, olive oil can cause gallbladder stones.
These are the common side effects of using olive oil. To avoid these side effects, ensure you consume in moderation and look out for allergies.
Conclusion
Olive oil is derived from olive fruit and is obtained by pressing ripened whole olives. It is considered one of the healthiest oils because it contains many beneficial compounds.
This oil is a versatile ingredient with plenty of uses including cooking, salad dressing, brain health, skin moisturizer, hair treatment, wood furniture conditioner, and stuck zippers. It can also help protect against inflammation and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Olive oil, has several varieties including extra virgin oil, virgin olive oil, cold-pressed olive oil, refined olive oil, and olive pomace oil. Among these different types of olive oil, extra virgin olive oil is considered to be the healthiest.
Olive oil offers benefits like improving heart health, lowering the risk of diabetes, preventing cancer, reducing inflammation, promoting brain health, supporting gut microbiome, aiding in weight loss, enhancing immune function, and more.
Even though olive oil offers plenty of health benefits, it can cause allergies, skin rashes, upset stomach, acne, or weight gain for some people. To avoid getting any side effects from using olive oil, consume it in moderation and pay attention to how your body reacts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many studies prove that consuming a spoonful of olive oil daily is healthy.
Olive oil helps improve heart health, reduce inflammation, support brain health, aid in weight management, promote gut health, and prevent cancer.
There are no side effects to using olive oil. However, some people might experience nausea, allergy, digestive issues, or skin rashes.
Having olive oil every day can provide various benefits like improving heart health, immune system, brain function, and gut health and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Drinking olive oil before bed can help increase your healthy fat levels, which helps promote better sleep, skin health, digestive health, and cardiovascular health.
