Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

There's no doubt that olive oil is one of the healthiest oils in the world. It's so helpful that it is listed in many ancient texts as a miracle worker which has helped humans get rid of medical conditions. The benefits of olive oil are endless, right from cooking to the healing of many health ailments.

Olive oil is used in abundance in the Mediterranean region and anyone coming from there can tell you how important is olive oil in their diet. When you talk about extra virgin olive oil, it means the best quality of olive oil, because its produced by compressing the olives manually without heating or using any other chemicals.

Extra virgin olive oil is a popular accompaniment in many dishes especially salads and pastas. It's not only one of the most lightest oils which adds great taste to many dishes, it also offers many health benefits.

The following benefits of extra virgin olive oil are backed by detailed scientific research provided by scientists globally. Extra virgin olive oil has groups of compounds which are considered very helpful in the treatment of many health ailments.

You would be shocked to know that ancient Greeks used to have a bath with extra virgin olive oil for maintaining smooth and lustrous skin. However, research indicates there are many more health benefits which are still not discovered by scientists. Here are some extra virgin olive oil nutrition facts.

The human blood contains two types of cholesterol in it; HDL (good) and LDL (harmful). Macrophages present in the blood destroy the LDL which causes infiltration of aerial walls and formation of plaque. These conditions can later lead to strokes and cause heart attacks.

Regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil prevents the formation of LDL and thus saves the human heart from various cardiovascular diseases. It also helps raise the level of antioxidants, which do the job of eliminating free radicals, thus preventing the human body from cancer.

One of the most amazing advantages of extra virgin olive oil is that it reduces inflammation. Extra virgin olive oil contains a chemical known as oleocanthal. This chemical calms down inflammation the same way as artificial medications do.

Therefore if you suffer from skin inflammation it is advised that you apply extra virgin oil on the skin and massage gently as it helps reduce skin inflammation. Extra virgin olive oil also helps in improving skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

People all around the world suffer from indigestion and stomach ulcer problems. The prime cause of ulcers is high levels of hydrochloric acid in the abdomen. Consuming extra virgin olive oil helps to maintain low levels of hydrochloric acid, and thus prevents the formation of ulcers. This oil is also the best remedy for chronic constipation and indigestion.

A recent study shows that people who don't consume extra virgin olive oil have a higher chance of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. If you know someone who suffers from this joint disorder, you must know how much pain and suffering it can cause. This oil prevents the swelling and inflammation of joints by providing them required strength and conditioning.

Using extra virgin olive oil is an excellent way of growing healthy hair on your head. A good olive oil massage session ensures healthy blood circulation and strengthening of hair follicles. You can also get rid of your dandruff problem by massaging extra virgin olive oil on your dry scalp.

Many people suffer from ear infections. A typical ear infection can happen for many reasons, the eardrum can be filled with mucus or it can also contract an infection as a result of various pollutants in atmosphere. Before going to sleep, it is advised that you put in 2 to 3 drops of extra virgin olive oil to reduce the swelling and inflammation of the ear.

Hope you've enjoyed reading on the various health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. As you can clearly see, extra virgin olive oil is filled with health benefits, plus it can also be enjoyed in the form of salad dressing and included in a healthy meal.