Olive oil is the liquid extracted (Olive Oil Extract) from olives. Olives are grape-sized greenish or black fruits that grow on olive trees that are native to the Mediterranean basin. The oil extracted from the olive fruits is mostly used in cooking and as a dressing for salads. Olive forms the three-plant food core of Mediterranean cuisine along with wheat and grapes. Olive oil is not only useful for cooking but also finds numerous uses in other industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and the production of toiletries.
The benefits of olive oil on the skin are well documented and the oil is globally used as a moisturizer or as a means to improve beauty. Olive oil is so versatile that it finds a very wide range of uses and one of them is medicinal. So let’s take a look at what this humble greenish-yellow oil has to offer to our health.
Weight Loss
Obesity is a terrible disease that leads to several other more dangerous diseases. According to a study conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics in 2015-2016, 39.6% of US adults aged above 20 years turned out to be obese. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more in an adult is considered obesity. Obesity can be treated by following a strict diet and exercising regularly.
Olive oil extract is useful in dealing with uncontrolled weight gain. The polyphenol present in olive oils is responsible for halting weight gain by controlling the metabolic rate and aiding digestion. Oleuropein present in olive oil is the main chemical compound that helps in maintaining body weight. The chemical may also reduce the risks associated with obesity.
Deals with Cholesterol
Preliminary researches also seem to suggest that olive oil extract may be beneficial in controlling cholesterol levels in our body. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance that our body makes on its own and stores in different cells in the body. In a 2015 study conducted on rats, it was observed that the group of rats that were given olive oil extract showed lower levels of cholesterol than the group that was not given olive oil extract. The level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) also plummeted in the rats that were given olive oil extract. LDL is commonly known as ‘bad cholesterol’ due to its tendency to cause heart ailments and fatalities.
In another study of 40 identical twins suffering from high blood pressure, it was found that by administering olive oil extract researchers were able to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol and improve the body’s natural ability to process cholesterol. On increasing the dosage of olive oil, the effects also improved greatly.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Hypertension is a common effect of high blood pressure. Olive oil extract provides relief from hypertension by regulating the blood flow in the body. The extract can help lower systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure which further helps to lower the blood pressure and maintain it at an optimal level. Blood circulation can be improved by gently messaging warm olive oil on the skin. Oleuropein in olive oil functions inside the vasculature to reduce the strain on the walls of blood vessels. This helps the blood vessels to relax and widens them for better movement of the blood thereby lowering blood pressure.
Old people are especially prone to fluctuating blood pressure and should be administered olive oil messages regularly to keep their pressure in check.
Type 2 Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic medical condition in which the body either stops producing insulin or cannot process insulin even if delivered from outside. Insulin therapy is the primary method of treatment for type 2 diabetes and other treatments include following a diet, exercising, and medication. The disease can last for a lifetime and hence more and more patients are turning to natural methods or ingredients such as olive oil extract.
As already discussed olive oil helps to reduce cholesterol and lower blood pressure- two important factors in controlling diabetes. The oil can also lessen hyperglycemia and reduce oxidative stress, thus helping the body deal with diabetes better.
The medicinal properties of the olive fruit and the oil extracted from it have been known to the Mediterranean people for ages. They include olives and olive oil in their diet in any way they can to enjoy its several health benefits. However, there needs to be more study on human subjects before concluding on the benefits of olive oil extract.
