Since ancient times, the benefits of olive oil and lemon have been known — considered both nutritious food and effective folk remedies. Olive oil has been used since the ancient Greek times, and was once considered a “Great Healer.” As for lemon, the Ancient Greeks considered it to be a great energizer for the body, counteracting lethargy.
In this video, we’ll take a look at the benefits of each of these ingredients on their own, and how together, these two powerhouse remedies have been scientifically proven to improve certain aspects of health.
1. It improves skin health
Don’t waste your money on expensive face creams or spa treatments – adding some lemon juice and olive oil to your diet could be all you need to achieve a youthful glow. According to recent study, high vitamin C intake was associated with a lower likelihood to develop wrinkles and less skin dryness; two physical traits that can age you big time. Since one lemon contains about half of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C, stocking up on the citrus fruit will help your skin stay young-looking and supple. Olive oil is also great for skin rehydration, whether you’re taking it with lemon juice or applying it straight to your face.
2. It reduces blood pressure
High blood pressure can lead to medical complications like kidney failure, a heart attack or a stroke. Luckily, taking lemon juice and olive oil on a regular basis has been proven to help. People who ate at least half a lemon a day, coupled with walking about 7,000 steps, greatly decreased their blood pressure levels, according to one recent research. And other research has suggested that olive oil may play a part in reducing the risk of stroke. A diet that includes regular olive oil use can help dissolve blood clots, with a recent study finding that older people who regularly used olive oil for cooking, salad dressing or bread had a 41 percent lower risk of stroke.
3. It wards off hunger
If overeating is a problem for you, then lemon juice and olive oil could be the answer. Pectin, which is found in the peel and pulp of citrus fruits like lemons, has been proven to help people feel fuller, longer. Olive oil has also been proven to keep people feeling fuller for longer, and can make you feel more satisfied after your meal.
4. It can help you lose weight
Lemons are rich in polyphenols, which are naturally-occurring compounds that contain antioxidants. Although citrus fruits have their own combination of polyphenols, the ones found in lemon juice can have significant health benefits. Similarly, a diet rich in olive oil has shown promise in having more of an impact on longer-lasting weight loss results than a low-fat diet. Despite the belief that a low-fat diet is the most effective one, studies have shown different results. Olive oil may, in fact, help you lose weight, by reducing sugar cravings and keeping you fuller for longer.
5. It helps fight off inflammation
Although regular inflammation is important for your body’s immune response to fight off something like a cold, chronic inflammation can lead to weight gain, fatigue, digestive issues, mood swings, and even cancer. Luckily, vitamin C, found in lemon juice, has antioxidant properties that have been proven to reduce inflammation, according to several studies. Vitamin C was found to be beneficial during inflammatory conditions, including protecting immune cells. Similarly, olive oil contains a substance which has anti-inflammatory agents. The compound acts in the same way as pain medicine, stifling the part of your system that gives rise to pain.
6. It boosts your immune system
There’s a reason your mum might have told you to stock up on orange juice if you have a cold – vitamin C, the stuff that’s found in lemon juice, too, has long been essential for staving off cold symptoms and boosting immunity. Although research on just how much vitamin C has an impact on the common cold is mixed, it does show some therapeutic benefits at the onset of symptoms. Likewise, olive oil is necessary for strengthening and protecting your immune system, and can help you fight infection.
7. It promotes fresh breath
Nothing ruins the mood like bad breath. But if you’re out of peppermint gum or mints, grab some olive oil and lemon juice. Lemon juice is known to freshen up your home, and the same can be said for your mouth. The acid in lemon juice neutralizes odours, which helps combat nasty breath from things like garlic and onions. Olive oil, on the other hand, hasn’t proven to be effective for bad breath – but it won’t make it worse, either.
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