OLIVE OIL AND BEAUTY CARE
Olive oil provides antioxidants that stimulate cells and help repairing and renewing damaged skin. Applied to face or body, olive oil penetrates deep into the skin and provides a long-lasting shield of moisture. Mixed with sea salt and massaged into the affected area, it sloughs off dead skin and enriches the healthy layer beneath it. Just a few drops of olive oil on a cotton pad remove eye makeup gently and effectively, without irritating the skin. Olive oil can soften skin around the eyes and smooth out wrinkles. It also makes the perfect, simple solution for dry nails. A couple of tablespoons of olive oil with a drop of lavender essential oil, added to your bath, will make you relax. Used on hair and scalp, olive oil acts as a deep conditioner and dandruff controller. It also makes hair strong and shiny.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF OLIVE OIL
Health benefits of olive oil are extensive with new positive attributes discovered all the time. Cardiologists recommend at least two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day. At present it is believed that in addition to bolstering the immune system and helping to protect against viruses, olive oil is also effective in fighting against diseases, such as:
• Heart Disease: Olive oil helps lower levels of blood cholesterol leading to heart disease.
• Oxident Stress: Olive oil contains antioxidents such as Vitamin E, carotenoids and phenolic compounds which also help protecting our body from the damaging effects of free-radical molecules and lead to long life.
• Cancer: Studies suggest that olive oil exerts a protective effect against certain malignant tumors (breast, prostate, endometrium, digestive tract etc.). A number of research studies have documented that olive oil reduces the risk of breast cancer. Healthy eating with olive oil as the main source of fat could considerably lower cancer incidence.
• Blood Pressure: Recent studies indicate that regular consumption of olive oil can help decrease both systolic (maximum) and diastolic (minimum) blood pressure.
Health and Beauty
SOURCES: www.agbiolab.com, www.easreth.gr, www.internationaloliveoil.org, www.minagric.gr, www.soilzone.com, www.prosodol.gr, www.oliveoil.gr, www.oliveoil.org, www.oliveoilsource.com, www.oliveoiltimes.com, www.olivetreeroute.gr, www.wikipedia.org, www.wix.com
• Diabetes: It has been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in olive oil, low in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and soluble fiber from fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is the most effective approach for diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving blood sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity.
• Obesity: Although high in calories, olive oil has shown to help reduce levels of obesity.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis: Although the reasons are still not fully clear, recent studies have proved that people with diets containing high levels of olive oil are less likely to develop rheumatiod arthritis.
• Osteoporosis: A high consumption of olive oil appears to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and plays an important role in aiding sufferers and preventing the onset of Osteoporosis.
• Skin disorders: Olive oil is a key source of protein and has a large proportion of vitamins A, D, E and K, needed in the fight against free radicals. This makes olive oil particularly helpful in the fight against skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, and seborrheic eczemas. It also contains agents that act as natural anti-inflammatory substances.