Olive Oil Health Benefits

The greatest exponent of monounsaturated fat is olive oil. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is - freshly pressed from the fruit.

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL "bad" cholesterol levels while raising HDL "good" cholesterol levels. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil.

Olive oil is very well tolerated by the stomach. In fact, olive oil's protective function has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones much more naturally than prescribed drugs. Consequently, it lowers the incidence of gallstone formation.

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Generally, olive oil is extracted by pressing or crushing olives. Olive oil comes in different varieties, depending on the amount of precessing involved. Varieties include:

Extra virgin - considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
Virgin - from the second pressing.
Pure - undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
Extra light - undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavor.

Here's some exciting news! Olive oil also contains at least four different antioxidants, which can help neutralize damaging free radicals that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer. Studies have shown that mice that drank extra-virgin olive oil developed less skin cancer after exposure to UV light.

Lutein, a strong antioxidant and cartenoid

• Destroys free radicals.


• Protects cells from premature aging.


• Strengthens retina and improves eye sight.

• Prevent the oxidation of lipoproteins, thus protecting from cholesterol deposits in blood vessels.


• Reduce the risk of heart and blood vessels disorders.


• Stop cancer cells from growing.

• Reduces harmful influences of carcinogens, preventing the risk of many forms of cancer, from bowel, gullet, throat cancer to stomach and prostate gland cancer.


• Protects smokers from lung tumors.


• Is essential for robust eye sight, the growth and regeneration of tissues.


• Nourishes epithelium, smooths out wrinkles and rejuvenate the skin.


• Strengthens teeth and bones.

Widely considered California's standard for quality olive oil, Olio Santo is the most widely recognized brand of California sourced EVOO. Produced under the highest standards by Stonehouse Olive Oil Company, successor to Calio Groves.

• 500 ml size ( 16.9 fluid ounces )


• Silver Medal winner at the 1999 Sonoma County Harvest Fair


• The finest oil of the harvest


• Produced in California, USA


• Featured on Barefoot Contessa

A number of folks swear by olive oil as a natural remedy for earaches. One suggestion is to very carefully use a cotton swab to apply olive oil to the out side ear cavity to help with earaches and excess wax. Another tip is to hear up some olive oil in a microwave for 30 seconds then apply it to the ear that hurts for relief.

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Apply olive oil to your youngster's hair, and leave on for at least 40 minutes. Shampoo twice, then apply a preventative.

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Taking a sip of olive oil before heading to bed can help lubricate your throat muscles, cutting down on snoring. So I won't tell if you drizzle some extra olive oil on Grandma's salad the next time she comes to visit!

You can also stop a throat tickle by taking a sip of olive oil. It stops the itchy flicker that is making you cough.

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Just as humans can benefit from grooming with olive oil, so can cats. Add a teaspoon of olive oil to your cat's food to help prevent hairballs, as well as promote a shiny, healthy coat. Olive oil is likely to be more gentle on a cat's system than petroleum-based anti-hairball lubricants. Plus, it has the benefit of coming from a renewable resource, as opposed to oil from the ground.

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To cure a diaper rash gently wipe the olive oil to your baby's bottom to help with the irritation of diaper rash.

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Banish frizzy hair by combing a few drops of olive oil through dry hair to tame the frizz and fly aways on humid days or in the winter.

For a hair tonic comb some olive oil through your hair for the vintage look of pomade without the build-up, or add a bit to wet hair for grungy, but clean, look.

Dandruff issues? Mix olive oil with almond oil and leave on scalp for five minutes. (If it starts to burn, rinse it out.) Rinse well to clear hair of dandruff.

For hair conditioner, heat 1/2 cup olive oil (don't boil it), and then liberally apply it to your hair. Cover your hair with a shower cap, and then wrap it in a towel. Let it set for 45 minutes, then shampoo and thoroughly rinse. You will discover softer, more lustrous hair with fewer split ends.

People have used olive oil for centuries for personal care. It is a great skin moisturizer, in part because it contains linoleic acid, a compound not made by the body, but which prevents water from evaporating.

Shave. Olive oil can provide a safe and natural lubricant for a close shave. Rub in an extra teaspoon after washing your body or face once finished for a soothing aftershave.

Exfoliate your face and hands. Rub your skin with olive oil, then scrub with sugar or coarse salt, and rinse.

As you bathe. Add a few tablespoons of olive oil to your running bath water. You'll be amazed when you towel off.

Soften your skin. Rub olive oil daily on notoriously dry areas, such as your feet or elbows, especially after a shower, shaving, or waxing.

Bad sunburn? Mix olive oil with white vinegar and apply before a warm bath to soothe and heal the burn.

Soft, youthful hands. Smooth generously onto hands before bed, put on white cotton gloves, and wake up with soft, youthful hands.

For red, irritated skin add a couple of tablespoons of olive oil to your bath.

Anti-aging moisturizer. Olive oil makes a great anti-aging moisturizer, since it contains polyphenol hydroxytyrosol, and antioxidant that helps to hold cell walls intact and thus reduce the signs of aging. Just apply it directly.

Slather on olive oil before braving the sun - it's rich in Vitamins A and E, keeping skin from drying out in the heat while protecting you from UV rays.

Fingernails. You can moisturize your cuticles by soaking them in olive oil mixed with water, or apply olive oil directly to cuticles before applying polish or buffing nails.

Soak thin, brittle nails in a small cup of olive oil to soften, smooth and strengthen them.

For stained nails and fingers, simply add a few drops of lemon juice to olive oil and soak your fingers in it.

DIY Lip Balm. Olive oil can soothe chapped lips. Make your own balm by mixing olive oil and melted beeswax in a 1:1 ratio (add an essential oil if you want a nice fragrance), and say good by to dry and chapped lips.

Remove makeup. Dab a bit under your eyes, on your cheeks and forehead, then wipe with a damp cloth. (Yes, that's why the store-bought kind is often so oily!)

Substitute for foot cream. Just rub some on your feet before you go to bed, put on some socks and wake up with super soft tootsies.

Clear up acne. So, the idea of applying oil to your face to treat acne does sound a bit strange but many people swear this works. Make a paste by mixing 4 tablespoons salt with 3 tablespoons olive oil. Put the mixture onto your hands and fingers and work it around your face. Leave it on for a minute or two, and then rinse it off with warm, soapy water. Apply daily for one week, then cut back to two or three times weekly. You should see a noticeable improvement in your condition. (The principle is that the salt cleanses the pores by exfoliation, while the olive oil restores the skin's natural moisture.)

Use as a night cream. A mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1/4 cup water used as a night cream will make your skin glow. The olive oil softens and moisturizes and the vinegar lightens discolorations, kills bacteria and loosens dead skin cells. Splash water on your face before applying.

To remove paint from your skin, rub the olive oil onto the messy area and allow the oil to soak into the skin for five minutes, then rinse with soap and water.

Did you get almost as much paint in your hair as you did on the walls in your last paint job? You can easily remove that undesirable tint by moistening a cotton ball with some olive oil and gently rubbing it into your hair.

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• Silverware, copper, and other metal items can be polished with ketchup or toothpaste. After you're done rub a bit of olive oil on to prevent streaks, corrosion, and tarnish.



• To polish your wood desk use two parts olive oil mixed with one part lemon juice. Pour just a few drops on a soft cloth, wipe away the dust, scuffs, and fingerprints, and your desk will shine. This technique works well for a range of wooden furniture and objects. You could also add a bit of vinegar and citrus juice to bulk up the cleaning power, and add a fresh scent.



• You can also condition and revitalize leather goods, such as baseball mitts, by rubbing in olive oil. Let set for 30 minutes, then wipe away any excess.



• For a shoe polish just rub down your shoes with just a spray of olive oil to maintain their shine.

• To prevent your pasta from overflowing, try pouring a tablespoon of olive oil into the water before boiling.



• Replace butter - When cooking, try adding a little bit of olive oil instead of butter for a healthier and better tasting meal.

Olive oil can be used as a lubricant in many applications. It's safe to keep around the house, so you don't have to worry about children or pets getting into it. Try it out on squeaky doors, hinges, and anywhere else you might consider using WD-40 or another lubricant.

While WD-40 may work well, it's also based on hydrocarbons, so any time we can use less of those we're taking a step toward a cleaner world.

Lubricate measuring cups and spoons. Rub or spray olive oil on your measuring tools for easy clean-up of sticky substances like honey, grain mustard's, and sugar syrups.

Easy clean up of garden tools. Spritz some olive oil on your tools to cut down on dirt buildup.

Clean your greasy hands. To remove car grease or paint from your hands, pour 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 teaspoon salt or sugar into your palms. Vigorously rub the mixture into your hands and between your fingers for several minutes; then wash it off with soap and water. Not only will your hands be cleaner, they'll be softer as well.

• Pumps up to spray any vegetable oil


• Spread olive oil on focaccia or spray muffin pans


• Satin-finish aluminum


• 7-5/8 inches high by 1-7/8 inches in diameter


• To clean, fill with hot water and a drop of mild detergent, and spray

There are only a few things more annoying than stuck zippers. So if you are vexed by this particular problem, break out the olive oil. Swab some of the stuff on the teeth of the zipper, then try gently easing it unstuck. Good luck!

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