Olive oil has been around for thousands of years and was a constant presence in ancient Mediterranean writing, art, literature, and songs. Even after thousands of years, the popularity has only grown as it is now one of the top exports of Mediterranean countries, notably Greece and Italy. The demand is so high worldwide that people from as far as the Pacific and Asia are now enjoying the benefits of olive oil.
Olive oil is used in many ways, particularly for cooking, baking, beauty regimens, and as medicine. Many chefs use this oil for salads and many of their signature dishes. Many people use this type of oil for treating skin issues like acne, wrinkles, skin asthma, and skin dryness. A lot of people swear by its benefits that it is commonly used for moisturizing the skin and nourishing the body. It has also gained popularity because of its weight loss promise, sworn by many celebrities, models, and health practitioners worldwide.
This type of oil is such a versatile product, and it is no surprise as to why it is popular worldwide. However, because of its popularity, a lot of bogus and impure oils are being sold in the market. It can be difficult to sift through the real from the fake ones, and it is even harder to pinpoint the authentic products if you haven’t been exposed to organically pressed oils.
How do you know which ones are pure olive oils?
A general quality of pure olive oils is with the thickness of the oil. Impure ones are often watered down, so they appear thin; however, those that are fully pressed are thick and appear cloudy. Given this fact, you will realize that lots of olive oils being sold in the market are far from being pure as they seem too perfect and smooth. This fact is understandable because pure olive oil tends to be very expensive.
Another quality is the smell. A pure olive oil smells fresh and smells, well, like olives. An impure olive oil smells a bit dank and putrid, much like spoiled vegetable oil. It is the kind that you won’t enjoy the smell and taste unless you mix it with vinegar. Again, this is the type of oil that you see in many stores since pure olive oil is very costly and difficult to transport.
Benefits of olive oil
Now that we’ve talked about the difference between pure and impure olive oils let’s talk about its many benefits.
There are a lot of advantages of olive oil that will make you want to have a stock of it always in your home. The benefits range from giving you vibrant skin to treating indigestion. But to get the most of its advantages, make sure you get the real kind. If you get an impure product, you won’t get the same benefits that you’ve been expecting.
Olive oil is not only great for consumption, but also for application on the skin. To get the most of olive oil’s advantages, it is best to have at least one tablespoon a day. It is best taken with meals for you to get the most of it. But when used in cooking, avoid heating it as the heat strips away the oil’s health benefits. That’s why it is only best used as dressing or topping.
Instead of using a soap-based cleanser, it is also recommended that you use olive oil instead. Using pure olive oil is free from additives and has natural moisturizing and cleansing effects. Therefore, your skin is stripped off its impurities, will get moisturized, and will feel tighter if smothered with olive oil. It is best to use it in the evening only as using it during the day can trap your skin pores and will not allow it to breathe.
These are the benefits of olive oil, but its effects can only be enjoyed if you stick with the real kind. It can be more expensive but worth it. Give it a try and see how it works for you.