Sunday, May 19, 2013

Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive Oil for years has been a preferred choice of people who are health conscious. It has the goodness of monosaturated fatty acids which promote the buildup of good cholesterol or HDL and prevent the buildup of bad cholesterol called LDL. This makes it a preferred medium of cooking and is used by a number of women across the globe. Besides cooking, olive oil also finds use in personal care, remedies for ailments, home care etc. This wonderful product has such varied uses that a bottle of olive oil can cater to a person’s almost all needs. Here’s how:
Cooking: Olive oil is rich in monosaturated fatty acids which are extremely beneficial to the body. It is also loaded with vitamins and antioxidants which are believed to be helpful in preventing and fighting cancer. There are different varieties of olive oil available in the market. The most expensive form of olive oil is labeled Extra Virgin Olive Oil. These are obtained from the first pressing of olives and the oil retains the distinct taste and aroma. You may also find “cold pressed” olive oil, another expensive version of the oil. This form is prepared by pressing olives without heating them to high temperatures. High temperatures destroy the nutrients in the oil. The oil derived from the second pressing is labeled as “Virgin” oil and the lesser forms are labeled as “Pure” or “Regular” oils. These lesser forms have lesser nutrient value and do not have the natural flavor and aroma.
Personal Care: Olive oil contains linoleic acid which makes the oil a great moisturizer. Due to the rich amount of antioxidants present in the oil, its application on the skin can help delay skin aging and also prevent skin cancer. It also is a great hair rejuvenator. Olive oil, reportedly, can revive damaged hair and make it shiny and smooth. All one needs to do is massage olive oil into damaged hair and keep it on for 30 minutes and then shampoo. Regular application with cure all hair problems and make them healthy and shiny.
Home Care: Olive oil can be used to polish furniture and metal items. After scrubbing clean copper ware, apply a bit of olive oil to prevent corrosion, tarnish etc.
Other Uses: Olive oil also has a number of other interesting uses such as:
Cure and Reduce Acne: A scrub made of olive oil and salt can help reduce acne.
Treat Sunburn: Shake a mixture of olive oil and water and apply it to the affected area. Olive oil helps retain moisture in the skin and hence is helpful in cases of mild sunburn.
Minimise cellulite: Prepare a paste of coffee grounds with olive oil and apply it on the skin to get rid of cellulite.
Remove makeup: You can safely use olive oil around your eyes to remove makeup.
Reduce stretch marks: Prepare a paste of cocoa butter and olive oil and apply it on the body to reduce stretch marks
Free a stuck zipper: Drizzle a few drops of olive oil onto the stuck zipper and free it.
These are only some of the many uses of this wonderful product. Besides, helping in preventing diseases and keeping us healthy, it also comes handy as a household utility. The use of olive oil has become increasingly popular as more and more people are becoming aware about their health.

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