Often called the liquid gold of the Mediterranean, olive oil finds applications in countless aspects of daily life. How should olive oil be used? Understanding its benefits and functions provides the answer.It reduces platelet viscosity, preventing platelets and fibrinogen from clumping together. 2. Enhances digestive function: Olive oil contains higher levels of unsaturated fatty acids than any other vegetable oil, along with abundant fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, F, K) and carotenoids, antioxidants, and other components. Being cholesterol-free, it is highly digestible and absorbable by the human body.It helps reduce stomach acid, preventing conditions like gastritis and duodenal ulcers. It also stimulates bile secretion and activates pancreatic enzymes, facilitating fat breakdown and absorption by the intestinal mucosa, thereby reducing the risk of cholecystitis and gallstones.
3. Skin Protection: Olive oil is rich in squalene and essential fatty acids that are highly compatible with the skin. It absorbs quickly, effectively maintaining skin elasticity and moisture.Its abundant monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins E, K, A, D, and phenolic antioxidants eliminate facial wrinkles, prevent skin aging, and offer skin and hair care benefits while treating chapped hands and feet. It serves as an edible beauty product. Additionally, applying olive oil to the skin combats UV rays and helps prevent skin cancer.
4. Enhances Endocrine System Function: Olive oil boosts the body's metabolic processes. Consequently, it is now recognized as the optimal cooking oil for preventing and managing diabetes.
5. Benefits for the skeletal system: The natural antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids in olive oil aid the body's absorption of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, promoting bone growth. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids help maintain bone density and reduce osteoporosis caused by free radicals (highly reactive molecules).
6. Anti-cancer properties: Rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, olive oil's omega-3 fatty acids reduce the amount of linoleic acid extracted from the blood by tumors, depriving them of a crucial nutrient. When cell membranes sustain sufficient damage, cancer cells undergo self-destruction.Omega-3 fatty acids make cell membranes more susceptible to free radical attacks, thereby enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
7. Radiation Protection: Containing polyphenols and lipopolysaccharides, olive oil also offers radiation-protective properties. It is frequently used in astronaut food formulations. Regular computer users particularly value it as an excellent health and skincare product.
8. Infant Nutrition: Due to its composition and digestibility, olive oil is the most suitable oil for infants. Half of an infant's calories come from fats in breast milk. After weaning, these calories must be obtained from dietary fats.
9. Anti-Aging: Among olive oil's numerous components, carotene and chlorophyll give it its yellow-green hue. Chlorophyll promotes metabolism, stimulates cell growth, and accelerates wound healing. It also enhances appearance by reducing wrinkle formation.
10. Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases: Olive oil protects the cardiovascular system in multiple ways: ① It prevents inflammation by lowering homocysteine (an amino acid that damages coronary artery walls), reducing arterial wall injury. ② It relaxes arteries and lowers blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide levels in the body.③ The monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. ④ A substance called squalene in olive oil increases HDL (good cholesterol) levels while lowering LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Higher HDL cholesterol levels in the body mean fewer oxidized LDL cholesterol particles in the arteries.