Does Olive Oil Have Side Effects?

It is not new to find that even the most nutritious foods have side effects. Olive oil is no exception. Despite its numerous health and beauty benefits, this oil has got some side effects that you sure need to be aware of. Let`s get talking.

14 Side Effects of Olive Oil

May Cause Acne

Excessive use of olive oil comes with risks to skin health, the chances of acne may be inevitable. Because olive oil does not quickly absorb into the skin, and as a result,  creates a thick layer, clogging the pores. Frequently application of olive oil causes an adhesive surface, trapping dirt, dust, and sebum into the skin. This is how acne develops. To be safe, apply olive oil on your skin in moderation, advisably twice a week,  to get a smooth and hydrated complexion. People who have oily skin are advised to avoid olive oil due to its naturally sticky and oily nature.

Risk of Allergies

Some people are allergic to olive oil, as it causes allergies such as contact dermatitis, eczema, respiratory allergies, among others. These are usually outcomes of topical application of the oil. People who are prone to these allergies may also have the same experiences after consuming foods that contain olive oil. If you experience an allergy, consult your doctor immediately to prevent the condition from worsening.

May Cause Skin Rashes

Oily skin is due to uncontrolled sebum secretion. When olive oil combines with your naturally greasy skin, it can rashes, cause severe irritation and redness. You`re advised to avoid olive oil if you have oily skin.

Not Safe on Babies` Skin

Babies have highly sensitive skin, so it`s not safe to use olive oil on them. They may develop rashes, irritation, and redness as a result. Coconut oil is much better for babies. If you must use olive oil on your baby, use extra virgin olive oil of great quality.

Not Suitable for Extremely Dry Skin

Olive oil contains oleic acid which breaks the natural moisturizing abilities of greatly dry skin. This is not healthy. If your skin is extremely dry, don`t use olive oil.

Can Cause Blackheads

Because of its extremely sticky and oily nature, olive oil can cause the growth of blackheads on your face. This is because it forms a layer on your skin that traps in the dirt and dead skin into it.

May Cause Saturated Fat-Related Diseases

Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated fat, so each tablespoon contains about 14% saturated fat and 120 calories. Now that`s a lot! Regular consumption of unprocessed olive oil can increase the risks of lethal diseases like atherosclerosis, obesity, stroke, heart attack, colon cancer, and breast cancer.

Risk of Trans-Fat Related Diseases

Olive oil is usually refined or partially hydrogenated under high heat and pressure. This process makes it lose its omega-3 fatty acid, due to an alteration in its molecular structure. This negatively affects the cholesterol levels in the bloodstream by decreasing the amount of healthy cholesterol and consequently increasing its unhealthy counterpart. This, unavoidably increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Lowers Blood Sugar

You`d have thought this was a benefit until you realize that the oil can lower your blood sugar below the normal level. Olive oil causes increased insulin resistance, and this works against blood sugar levels. Overconsumption is even worse, as it may lead to hypoglycemia, trembling, abnormal sweating, weakness, among other health complications.

Causes Inflammation

Olive oil contains a lot of fat, so it increases the chances of developing inflammation in the body. It contains about 78% of oleic acid, which plays a vital role in releasing the lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The more the LPS present in the blood, the greater the extent of inflammation caused by the immune cells.

Gallbladder Stones

Excessive consumption of olive oil may cause painful gallstones or even block the gallbladder. The liver produces bile that gets accumulated inside the gallbladder. However, when the body holds excess fat, the stored bile secretes and emulsifies the fats. This results in stones or blockage.

Lowers Blood Pressure

Olive oil is popular for keeping the heart healthy, overconsumption may cause a heavy fall in the blood pressure. It is damaging to health and may cause dizziness,  kidney failure, lightheadedness, and stroke.

Risk of Diarrhea

The strong laxative properties of olive oil make it unsafe in large amounts. The body system cannot digest excess quantities, so it leads to diarrhea.

High on Calories

Excessive consumption of olive oil leads to weight gain. Just like other oils, olive oil contains a lot of calories that turn out unhealthy in excessive quantities.

Some Amazing Olive Oil Facts

• Olive oil is widely recognized as one of the world’s healthiest oils.
• Olive oil is extracted from the fleshy part of the ripened fruit of the olive tree, known as Olea europaea.
• Olive oil is popular for cooking, frying foods, or as a salad dressing. It is also used to preserve foods, especially canned fish.
• The olive is one of three core food plants in Mediterranean cuisine; wheat and grapes are others.
• People have grown olive trees around the Mediterranean since the 8th millennium BC.
• In the history of the Mediterranean, the olive is a symbol of wealth, fame, and peace.
• Way before 2000 BC, dynastic Egyptians imported olive oil from Crete, Syria, and Canaan. Oil was an essential item of commerce and wealth at the time.
• Hippocrates was the first known medical practitioner to use olive oil-based ointments to treat wounds and traumas.
• By the Middle Ages, olive oil had gained more popularity for its curative properties.
• Spain is currently the largest producer of olive oil, followed by Italy and Greece.
• Olive oil varies in color, from clear yellow to golden. Some varieties gotten from unripe fruit have a greenish tinge.
• Extra virgin olive oil is the most expensive type and is made from the first cold pressing of the olives.
• Extra virgin olive oil has a low acidity rate below 1% and is suitable for dressing salads
• The ripe olive fruit with the pit extracted contains 20 to 30 percent oil, depending on the climate and mode of cultivation.

Now that you Know…

Oils are the most calorie-dense foods around. They`ve got even more calories than butter or bacon. A diet with massive amounts of oil perpetually produces heavy amounts of body fat which leads to all sorts of disastrous diseases, including America’s major killer, heart disease. Everyone who desires a healthy lifestyle, particularly people who are overweight, need to limit their intake of monounsaturated or polyunsaturated oils to a teaspoon per 1,000 calories daily. It`s healthier to spray olive oil, rather than pour it; you’ll consume much less that way. A major mistake people make is using olive oil as a key ingredient, rather than as a condiment or seasoning. The oil is only supposed to improve the flavor of your meals. Asides from olive oil, you should also steer clear of all oils loaded with saturated or trans fatty acids, such as coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil.

You sure want to live healthy, so paying attention to these side effects will do a lot of good for your health. The side effects shouldn`t scare you; they should only guide you in consuming healthy quantities of the oil.