Olive Oil Rich In Antioxidants

The benefits of olive oil go beyond salad dressing
By DR. LESLIE BAUMANN
LBaumann@med.miami.edu
Ancient Greeks bathed with olive oil, and today the practice still holds up to the scrutiny of science. Olive oil contains at least four types of antioxidants, which neutralize damaging free radicals that can lead to skin aging and skin cancer.

Studies have shown that mice that drink extra virgin olive oil develop skin cancer less often after exposure to UV light. The most exciting finding of these studies is that applying topical olive oil on the mice after UV exposure also decreased the number of skin cancers.

Olive oil contains linoleic acid, a component of skin that helps prevent water from evaporating from the skin. Linoleic acid cannot be made by the body and must be supplied topically or in the diet.

Those deficient in linoleic acid develop dry skin. Eating olive oil or olives, adding the oil to the bathtub, or applying it directly to the skin can help hydrate the skin. It is really the best bath oil and after-sun moisturizer around.

To get the best results, it is crucial to use extra virgin olive oil, which is made from the first press of the olives and has the highest amounts of antioxidants.

My favorites include LA Organic Olive Oil found at Bay Harbor Fine Foods and Costa dei Rosmarini Olive Oil sold at Fratelli Lyon restaurant in the Design District. The restaurant Quattro on Lincoln Road serves the Costa dei Rosmarini olives to diners.