Olive oil, particularly extra virgin olive oil, is well-known for its numerous health benefits. Various scientific studies supported that oil is good for our bodies. It is rich in antioxidants that help the body fight off against cellular damage that can lead to a range of health problems. Adding it into our diet can help lower our chance of dying from cardiovascular diseases, aids in weight loss, control our blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and protect our nervous system as well as our whole body against certain cancers.
One way of reaping some of its benefits is by gargling olive oil. It involves swishing the oil around the mouth in order to reduce the amounts of bacteria in it. Here are some of the positive effects of gargling olive oil.
Helps Whiten Teeth
Olive oil has antibiotic and antiviral properties that can help clean and brighten the teeth. To achieve pearly white teeth, try gargling it each morning for two weeks.
Helps Detoxify The Body
When toxins build-up in our body, many health issues arise since they can poison the body causing inflammation leading to diseases and illnesses. These toxins can be obtained from foods, lotions, perfumes, pollution, and cleaning products.
Since our mouth is one of the gateways to the body of such toxins, gargling with olive oil can help clean up and disable them from spreading it the body.
Helps Reduce Bad Breath
There are many potential causes of bad breath. It can be an infection, a gum disease, poor oral hygiene and tongue coating, which is when bacteria become trapped on the tongue.
Gargling with olive oil can help reduce bad breath as it can cause a significant decrease in levels of the microorganisms known to contribute to bad breath.
Helps Improve Cardiovascular Health
Nowadays, heart diseases are one of the reasons of death around the world. Studies revealed that bacterial build-up and inflammation caused by gum disease are linked to problems like heart attack and dementia. Because of poor oral hygiene, existing heart conditions worsen. Gargling with olive oil can address problems with inflammation.
Helps Improve Immunity
Gargling with olive oil has been believed to effectively detoxify the body and improve the immune system. If bacteria that attacks our immune system are removed from our mouth, they can’t make their way down to the gut – where 80% of our immune system is located.
Helps Reduce Headaches
Headaches can be experienced due to a lot of reasons. Most of the time, a lot of people suffer from headaches because of toxic stress. By eliminating bacteria from the body via gargling with olive oil, headaches can be avoided.
How to Gargle with Olive Oil
It’s simple to gargle with olive oil. Put about 1 – 2 tablespoon of olive oil (high quality extra virgin, preferably organic) in the mouth. Swish the oil around the mouth for about 15–20 minutes and spit it out. Brush the teeth after.
Be careful not to swallow: that oil is full of the toxins you are trying to expel.
