How The Polyphenols In The Med Diet Can Help Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage And Add To The Benefits Of Olive Oil
Updated November 15th 2021
A new report linking The Mediterranean Diet with increased protection from UV radiation could be good news for lovers of extra virgin olive oil and other antioxidant rich foods.
The Zoe Report, entitled Experts Say The Mediterranean Diet Could Be Ideal For Optimum Sun Protection, explains how applying sunscreen can be accompanied by adherence to a plant-based diet such as The Mediterranean Diet can play a dual role in skin health.
According to Dr Rajani Katta, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and a former professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, foods that contain antioxidants, substances that include vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, can offset the harmful effects of UV radiation by shoring up your skin’s natural defenses.
“[T]he skin is constantly … exposed to threats, whether that’s UV radiation or pollution or the body’s own processes, so there are all these intricate systems that are designed to neutralize these threats over the course of a day,” Dr. Katta says. “And one of those systems is that we actually have a lot of antioxidants that are just in our skin’s layers all the time.”
Doctor Katta
The report goes on to explain that when sun rays strike your skin, they trigger the production of free radicals which can build up to catalyze chemical chain reactions that can cause premature aging and illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
We love the sun, but sometimes, our skin doesn’t. If you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun and have a resulting painful sunburn, the antioxidant properties in extra virgin olive oil can help alleviate that painful sting. These antioxidant properties also could reduce potential UVB-ray skin tumors. Just be sure to put your extra virgin olive oil on after your time in the sun, not before. With the protection from free radicals, extra virgin olive oil provides a great after-sun care routine. An article from Livestrong also notes how oil application can also fight off cancer-causing cells. The powerful properties in extra virgin olive oil make it a great choice for protecting your health both inside and out.
How Polyphenols in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Help Protect Your Skin
Antioxidants which are present in many Mediterranean foods, such as extra virgin olive oil, contain large quantities of antioxidants which can prevent free radicals from damaging cells. The polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil act as an antioxidant which means that these compounds minimize free radicals in the body. Antioxidants affect the human health in various way from improving body functions and digestion to skincare. Antioxidants can also fight off cell damage in the body, enhancing the body’s capability to fight off any diseases.
For those who are concerned about the more cosmetic signs of ageing, the great news is that Extra Virgin Olive Oil has also been shown to be an outstanding moisturiser to keep the skin looking its radiant best for longer.
Extra virgin olive oil has properties and antioxidants that can improve the health of your skin to help you be glowing and confident as you eat right. Because the oil’s fat composition is very similar to that of human skin, it rarely causes allergic reactions. In addition, extra virgin olive oil absorbs quickly into the skin and after 15 minutes there is no trace of it. It also helps lock in moisture in the skin. Simply put some in your hands and start rubbing it over your entire body and face.
The high percentage of unsaturated fat and vitamins A and E are helpful in preventing sun damage, also work on the outside to soothe and replenish, particularly sensitive skin. It is also pure, and unmixed with anything but water, unlike other oils.
There is only one ingredient in extra virgin olive oil…olive oil. If you go into your bathroom and check out the ingredient list on your moisturizer, you will see a range of chemical additives. Why use something with that many ingredients when you can just use a naturally occurring extra virgin olive oil?
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Your Skin Care Routine
From your head to your toes, extra virgin olive oil can be used in a variety of skin care routines that provides an all-natural alternative to soaps and creams that contain harsh chemicals. Here are five quick and easy ways you can take care of your skin with one simple ingredient, extra virgin olive oil.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Prevents Signs of Aging
One of the top health benefits of extra virgin olive oil is its antioxidants that can improve your health inside and out. The antioxidant hydroxytyrosal helps to improve your skin including preventing aging, according to olive oil expert Paul Vossen. With its Vitamin E properties, extra virgin olive oil protects the skin from harmful damage and can help prevent wrinkles and fine lines.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Softens Cuticles
Protect your nail cuticles from drying and ripping in the cold winter months and soften them up with some extra virgin olive oil. By caring for your cuticles, you can also strengthen your nails and improve the softness of your hands, all at the same time with one natural ingredient.
Remove Makeup With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Looking for a way to take of your day’s makeup without strong chemicals? A few dabs of extra virgin olive oil clings to the oil on your skin to free pores and remove that stubborn makeup. Follow it up with a facial cleanser for a great skin care routine.
Moisturize With Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Extra virgin olive oil’s smoothing properties make it a great option for an all-natural moisturizer. For especially dry skin, you can massage some oil on your slightly damp skin. Doing so not only adds much needed smoothness to your hands, it also protects your skin from further damage. Be sure to not use too much oil on your face, which may lead to clogged pores. For a great hand scrub, mix sugar and oil together to make a natural exfoliant that keeps your hands super smooth.
