Research is proving more of the benefits of olive oil with each passing year. And people who use it for various reasons and ailments are certain that it works. So what are some health benefits of olive oil that can benefit us all? Here are a few:
It works as an anti-inflammatory. This is because of its antioxidant effect. In fact, olive oil is packed with nutrients and antioxidants – and its unique combination of substances can help bring down swelling and other manifestations of inflammation in your body. In fact, many people with chronic inflammation find ways to include olive oil in their diets. This includes people with Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease and more. Some research has shown that it works as well as ibuprofen to reduce inflammation.
It doesn’t cause you to gain weight. While any oil can cause weight gain when consumed in excess, research and anecdotal evidence suggests that you’re less likely to gain weight from olive oil than from butter, transfat-containing margarines and other oils. That’s why it’s a good idea to put the butter knife back in the drawer and turn to olive oil when you want a fatty boost for your food. All those antioxidants in olive oil help to stimulate your metabolism, and that may account for the limited impact on your waistline.
It can help fight disease. Almost everyone knows someone impacted by modern diseases. These diseases have impactful symptoms, and any medications for them have substantial side effects. Olive oil, however, can help fight off cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and more with its antioxidants and as-yet-unknown healing and disease-fighting properties.
It helps the skin. History records that Cleopatra used olive oil on her skin, and millions still do – especially in the Mediterranean, where it’s inexpensive and plentiful. The antioxidants are once again a great thing because they naturally fight the ravages of aging on the skin. You can use olive oil on your skin straight out of the bottle or make a homemade face mask or scrub. You’ll feel smoother and more invigorated than ever – and the aroma is quite pleasing.
It works naturally. Whether you use olive oil for its anti-inflammatory properties, to help prevent weight loss or for your skin, you can feel good about using it because it’s all natural. It’s a one-ingredient wonder that you don’t have to worry about. There’s no downside and no side effects to olive oil. So if living a natural life is important to you, including olive oil in it is, well, a natural choice.
Olive oil usage is one aspect of a healthy, complete life. There are others, of course. It’s important to eat a balanced diet that includes lean protein and adequate carbs for energy. It’s useful to consume a lot of water to keep your body’s internal mechanisms functioning at the highest level. And it’s important to detoxify.
Among the many ways to detoxify are to use cleanses on an occasional basis, to cleanse your body regularly with foods known to help clear your system and to use detox foot pads, available from BodyPure. These detox foot patches are designed to pull impurities and toxins from your system while you sleep or do other things – and you can use them regularly or whenever you need a boost. And like olive oil, foot pads help rev up your metabolism and make you feel better overall.
