By: Ozren Podnar |
Olive - pearl of Mediterranean diet |
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People have been cultivating olives for at least six thousand years.
In Crete, Palestine and Egypt, people used them as food, medicine and fuel for lamps.
In ancient Greece, olive oil was so important it is mentioned in the ancient myths.
Did you know that the Mediterranean diet is among the healthiest diets in the world?
It includes a variety of vegetables, fruits, legumes and olive oil, which provides a wide range of nutrients to the human body.
The aforementioned food items are responsible for lower cholesterol levels of Mediterranean people in comparison to the residents of Central Europe, United Kingdom and United States. The diet of these people is based on animal fat and protein, which unfortunately raises the cholesterol level.
In contrast, in Mediterranean diet many ingredients protect against heart disease.
The most important of them are antioxidants found in olive oil, which inhibit the oxidation processes responsible for the premature death of cells.
It has been proven that olive oil and olives, because of their antioxidant properties, protect cells and delay aging. Ingredients found in olives have anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce the risk of cancer.
The enemy of bad cholesterol
The olive oil contains oleic and linoleic acids, which cleanse the blood and lower blood pressure. Oleic acid or oil increases good cholesterol, known as HDL code.
Good cholesterol has a protective role, as it carries bad cholesterol known as LDL to the liver, where it breaks down and removes it from the body.
Bad cholesterol should not be ignored, because it causes atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.
Do not fry it - eat it fresh!
Olive oil enriches salads and other vegetable dishes. Use it on bread instead of unhealthy butter, margarine or mayonnaise.
Use it for seasoning other dishes, such as pasta or risotto. Remember that you should always use fresh olive oil.
The belief that fried foods are harmless if the food is fried in olive oil has not been confirmed.
Burning removes many beneficial properties of oils and turns good fats into bad.
Natural detoxification
Olive oil is used as a natural remedy for body cleansing.
This method derives from the traditional Indian medicine called Ayurveda, which is over 5000 years old. It is necessary, rinse mouth with olive oil every day, which removes toxins from the body and strengthens the immune system.
In the morning, on an empty stomach, put a tablespoonful of unrefined olive oil in the mouth and gurgle it for 15 minutes. A dense white mass will be formed in your mouth, spit it out and wash your mouth.
Regular application brings great results, and it is proved to be particularly effective for treatment of headache, toothache, periodontosis, bronchitis, stomach ulcers, intestinal diseases, women's diseases and many other conditions.
Unavoidable in traditional medicine
In folk medicine, tea made from olive leaves is used for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Olive oil helps with indigestion, heartburn, gastritis, ulcers, colitis and constipation. In addition, it has a great effect on the respiratory system, helps with coughing, hoarseness, fever etc.
Beneficial effects of olive oil:
- prevents heart and blood vessel diseases
- improves stomach and pancreas functions
- reduces the risk of cancer
- improves the appearance of skin and hair
- helps with digestive problems
- regulates blood pressure and sugar levels
- helps with colds and flu
Olive oil is useful for skin and hair, so it’s used in a number of cosmetic treatments. It can strengthen your nails and prevent them from scrolling and make a can be used for making a hair wrap. Furthermore, olive oil massage is becoming increasingly popular.
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