Lemon juice and olive oil are ingredients that appear in many of our favorite foods. When combined, they have tremendous health benefits.
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On its own, lemon juice supports everything from weight loss to improved skin clarity, and olive oil’s nutritional and wellness value is well known.
together, however, their impact is magnified.
What are the health benefits of olive oil?
Olive oil has a rich history. Cleopatra’s famous golden glow is believed to be the result of the baths olive oil. The ancient Greeks saw the olive tree as a “sacred fruit”, and Romans associated olive oil with elite society and consumed the liquid to prolong longevity, according to yahoo.com.
nicknamed “golden nectar of the gods”, this rich source of healthy fats and antioxidants has been a coveted product for centuries. Today it remains a staple of the Mediterranean diet. Here are some of the reasons why olive oil is so special.
It is rich in polyphenols
Just one teaspoon of olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), provides an abundance of polyphenols, which are natural bioactive compounds whose antioxidant properties promote well-being. This is good news for anyone dealing with age-related bone loss. How come? Because, according to recent research, the polyphenols in olive oil help support bone health, helping to keep oxidative stress under control.
Furthermore, animal studies reveal that the intake of certain polyphenols has produced positive effects on bone mass, leading to increased strength. In other words, the polyphenols in high-quality olive oil help promote bone health as part of a wholesome, healthy diet.
Boost heart health
Did you know that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of premature death worldwide? The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that this deadly disease claims about 17.9 million lives each year. Interestingly, populations living in Mediterranean regions have low mortality rates from heart disease. While this is likely due to a combination of factors, their high EVOO consumption is also thought to play a role.
These are not the only data suggesting the importance of olive oils in maintaining cardiovascular health. In a 2014 study, researchers found that participants who consumed the most olive oil were nearly 10 percent less likely to have heart problems than participants who consumed the least olive oil.
It has anti-inflammatory properties
Chronic inflammation is a major culprit in a number of diseases such as cancer, arthritis, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Olive oil has been shown to help keep inflammation in check, largely thanks to its antioxidants, especially oleocanthal. The oleic acid in EVOO is also known to help reduce inflammation levels.
The benefits of lemon juice
Lemon may make your mouth water, but just a tablespoon of its juice has numerous health benefits. Here are some of them.
Lemon is rich in antioxidants
Lemons are an excellent source of plant compounds called flavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Antioxidants are natural substances that help protect cells in the body. By keeping cell damage in check, antioxidants can help reduce your overall risk of many health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. These powerful compounds do this by scavenging free radicals, the harmful disease-causing intruders created by oxidative stress.
The flavonoids in lemon may also help reduce inflammation in the body (as mentioned earlier, chronic inflammation is a leading indicator of many diseases).
It has antibacterial effects
In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects, lemon juice has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can improve overall health. In a recent study, the bioactive plant compounds in lemon juice effectively inhibited the growth of staph, salmonella and candida infections. Additionally, lemon juice was also effective in fighting an antibiotic-resistant bacterial strain that causes pneumonia and bloodstream infections.
Supports skin health
The high vitamin C and vitamin E content of lemon juice makes it particularly beneficial for the skin. Its powerful antioxidants help support collagen production, which gives skin its youthful appearance. Lemons are also rich in magnesium, an important mineral that maintains skin health and prevents damage caused by oxidative stress.
Many people claim that consuming olive oil and lemon juice combined produces positive health results. While more scientific studies are needed, the potential benefits of combining the two are numerous.
Naturally cleanses the body
Cleansing and detoxification are believed to remove waste and toxins that have built up in the body over time. While there aren’t many studies exploring whether olive oil and lemon juice can help detoxify the digestive system, researchers suggest that the antioxidants and polyphenols in the two could help “cleanse” the body.
Supports healthy weight loss
Research shows that the vitamin C in lemon juice and the monounsaturated fatty acids in olive oil may promote weight loss. In the human body, vitamin C is essential for the production of carnitine, a compound that carries fat molecules into cells, where they are broken down and used as fuel. In other words, an inadequate intake of vitamin C can lead to impaired fat breakdown. Additionally, selected studies show that diets high in monounsaturated fatty acids lead to similar weight loss to that resulting from diets low in fat.
Helps digestion
The laxative action of olive oil, combined with the ability of lemon juice to fight bloating and constipation, improves digestion.
