15 Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Olive oil is healthier than you may think. Here are 15 benefits of extra virgin olive oil.

1. EVOO Is Great To Use For Cooking

Extra virgin olive oil is a versatile cooking oil. Its intense nutty flavor, aroma, and high smoking point make it the ideal oil for cooking under high heat. You can use it to grill and roast meats or vegetables and even bake cakes.

The consistency of EVOO also makes it the best cooking oil for health-conscious people. It absorbs fat-soluble vitamins and antioxidants from nutrients in vegetables and spices easily.

If you need a flavorful oil to use in dips, sauces, and marinades, EVOO is a great option. It contains lots of polyphenols and healthy fatty acids. An added bonus is that it’s made through cold pressing and is not exposed to chemicals or heat. Therefore, it retains all the goodness of olives.

2. It’s an Immunity Booster

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) contains polyphenols, such as hydroxytyrosol and Oleuropein, which have an antibacterial effect on disease-causing pathogens.

Some examples are Listeria Monocytogenes, a bacteria that causes Listeriosis; Helicobacter Pylori, which causes peptic ulcers; and the influenza virus.

Some polyphenol extracts in EVOO have also been proven to prevent the growth of bacteria that cause urinary tract infections.

3. It Can Boost Plant Growth in Your Garden

Olive oil contains minerals such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus that can boost plant growth in your garden. Mix EVOO in water and apply it on the topsoil around your plant, or mix it in compost to enrich it.

You can also mix olive oil in water with a bit of dishwashing soap and spray it on plants to deter pests such as whiteflies and aphids. It is a great replacement for commercial fertilizers that contain toxic ingredients.

If you keep ornamental plants, pour a small amount of olive oil on a soft cloth and clean their scales. It will improve their appearance and kill any harmful organisms on their surface.

4. EVOO Aids in Weight Loss

Extra virgin olive oil has a satiating effect that reduces hunger pangs, making it an excellent aid for weight loss. It contains oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat resistant to high heat that boosts energy levels and aids in nutrient absorption.

Moderately consuming olive oil is an ideal way to manage your weight. Use it to promote strong muscle formation and enhance fat burning to lose weight. It will increase your body’s metabolism and balance insulin levels, reducing carb cravings.

For instance, if you are on a keto diet, try drizzling extra virgin olive oil on salads and soups to reduce food consumption. You will also benefit from its antibacterial and antifungal properties.

5. Improves Hearth Health

According to scientific research, people who consume at least half a tablespoon of EVOO daily lower their risk of coronary heart disease by 19 percent.

This is because olive oil decreases inflammation which contributes to heart disease. It also prevents oxidative damage on blood vessels and strengthens the functions of their lining while preventing unwanted blood clotting.

Taking EVOO regularly strengthens the heart by preventing plaque buildup in the arteries and protecting red blood cells from damage. It also reduces the risks of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis by maintaining healthy HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol levels.

6. It’s a Great Candle Wax Remover

Olive oil is an excellent household care product on its own. You can also mix it with other natural cleaning items, such as lemon juice or baking soda, to clean stains off furniture.

For example, if you have candle wax stuck on furniture or a candle jar, try using olive oil to loosen it. Pour a few drops of olive oil on the wax, let it sit for ten minutes to soften it, then wipe it off with a soft cloth.

You can also use olive oil to polish wood furniture for shininess and durability. Simply pour a few drops of extra virgin olive oil on a paper towel and polish the surface of your wooden furniture. It will leave it shiny and clean.

7. Olive Oil Enhances Brain Functions

EVOO contains monounsaturated fats and over 30 polyphenols that protect brain cells from damage.

It also boosts the production of critical brain chemicals called Nerve Growth Factor and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor. These chemicals contribute to the repair and stimulation of new brain cell formation, improve memory, and enhance brain learning.

EVOO is also enriched with vitamins E and K, whose powerful antioxidant properties sharpen our brains as we age. This combination of vitamins in olive oil can also reduce the risk of depression and stroke by up to 20 percent.

8. Improves Bone Health

Adding 3 to 4 tablespoons of cold Extra Virgin Olive Oil to foods such as fish, salads, and pasta can promote healthy bone formation. Its Vitamin K content prevents Osteoporosis by strengthening the bones and reducing inflammation.

The Oleuropein in olive oil also increases the creation of bone-forming cells called Osteoblasts. These cells prevent bone loss associated with ailments such as Osteoporosis maintaining healthy bone mass.

The anti-inflammatory properties of (EVOO) can also reduce bone loss by aiding in Calcium absorption. Other phenolic compounds in it, such as Hydroxytyrosol and Tyrosol, are also good for bone formation. This makes it the ideal oil for people suffering from bone ailments.

9. Prevents Skin Problems

EVOO contains fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin E that improve skin health when topically applied and added to food. Its antibacterial properties make it an excellent oil for relieving symptoms of skin problems such as Eczema and Psoriasis.

Adding olive oil to skin care treatments such as scrubs or masks can minimize wrinkles and promote skin regeneration. This makes it an excellent oil for fading scars, treating hyperpigmentation, and clearing stretch marks. Regularly using it on hands and feet will leave them soft and supple.

10. Natural Hair Product

Olive oil is an excellent natural hair product for dry hair because of its conditioning properties. It can repair split ends and strengthen hair strands when added to shampoo and hot hair treatment to ease frizziness and prevent dryness.

The consistency of extra virgin olive oil makes it a cost-effective natural product for your hair. You can keep your scalp and mane healthy by rubbing just a few drops of extra virgin olive oil into your scalp or hair strands daily. This will save you from spending money on expensive hair products.

If you don’t like using olive oil on your hair, I suggest using the best olive oil shampoos on the market. Feel free to check them out.

If you are dealing with dandruff or an itchy scalp, rub a few drops of EVOO into your scalp. It has powerful hydrating, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that will relieve these issues.

11. May Prevent Cancer

The Oleocanthals in Extra virgin olive oil reduce the risks of breast, bowel, skin, and colon cancer. This is because it prevents free radical damage in cells, which is a key cause of Cancer.

The Hydroxytyrosol and Omega-6 fatty acids in Extra Virgin Olive oil also destroy tumor cells in patients with breast cancer, delaying its progression.

Spreading Extra Virgin Olive oil on the skin after sunbathing is a good way to fight skin cancer-causing cells. This is why EVOO is used in lots of skin oils and treatments.

12. Great For Your Pet’s Health

Olive oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties make it an excellent natural pet care product. Adding a tablespoon or two of it to your pet’s food can encourage healthy hair growth due to its vitamin E, carotenoid lutein, and omega-3 fatty acids content. It’s also an excellent appetizer for pets that are malnourished or underweight due to sickness.

You may also apply a few drops of EVOO to your pet’s coat to moisturize it and heal wounds. It will make their coat shiny and strengthen their hair. Avoid applying too much of it to keep your pet from licking its coat, which may cause sores.

If your pet is overweight, add a tablespoon of olive oil to its food to aid in weight loss. It will boost metabolism and energy levels, increasing fat burning and helping it lose weight.

13. Reduces Inflammation In Your Body

Inflammation is the body’s response to damage caused by infection, injury, stress, and physical trauma. Taking a tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil can lower inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.

It contains Oleuropein Aglycone, which reduces the risks of Alzheimer’s, Breast Cancer, and Hyperglycemia by inhibiting any enzymatic action contributing to inflammation.

The anti-inflammatory effects of Oleocanthal molecules in extra virgin olive oil in the body also aid in combating pain. Regularly adding it to food or taking a spoon of it will reduce morning stiffness, and improve hand grip strength and lower joint pain. It’s a great health aid for people suffering from autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis.

14. Lowers Blood Pressure

EVOO contains monounsaturated fats and polyphenols that can lower blood pressure. It also lowers diastolic and systolic blood pressure by thinning the blood and protecting red blood cells from damage.

Taking two tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive oil can reduce the need for taking blood pressure medication.

It’s also one of the best oils for lowering oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which can contribute to hypertension.

15. Great For Detox

Taking Extra Virgin Olive Oil with lemon juice daily can detox the liver through its laxative action that encourages the release of bile. This bile helps the liver release toxins and reduces fat deposits, preventing ailments such as fatty liver.

An EVOO and olive oil detox can also relieve constipation and clean out the gastrointestinal tract, improving colon health.

It also cleanses the gallbladder and enhances gastrointestinal health by killing bacteria such as Helicobacter Pylori that cause stomach ulcers and stomach Cancer.

Final Words

These are fifteen benefits of extra virgin olive oil that may encourage you to use it in your kitchen.

If you have been using regular olive oil, these benefits should convince you to buy EVOO. It’s the best natural olive oil to use for your health.