Most of you already know numerous benefits of extra virgin olive oil for the health, but today we are going to tell you about its effects against cough and colds.

Common cold is a mild viral infectious disease of respiratory system, it is highly contagious and it is caused by rhinovirus and coronavirus. Symptoms are sneezes, mucus, headache, eye irritation, sore throat, cough and general malaise. In winter, we could catch a cold easily despite we dress well for cold weather, and if it gets worst, it could cause bigger problems as well as pneumonia.

Extra virgin olive oil is an excellent food to cure colds because it is a source of vitamins A and E, essential in strengthen of immune system.

We also know that most of bioactive compounds

We also know that the majority of bioactive compounds responsible for these benefits are in the unsaponifiable fraction (minority fraction of olive oil representing only between 1 and 3%). Some benefits overlap with those attributed to anti-inflammatory drugs. The discovery of the oleocanthal (natural anti-inflammatory of extra virgin olive oil) could explain one of the mechanisms by which this connection is produced.

Tips to prevent colds:

• Live a healthy live and eat a Mediterranean diet in order for out immune system to be able to respond correctly to infection. Balanced diet, to exercise regularly, to keep optimum condition and avoiding bad habits.
• Diet rich in food with vitamins.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid, as far as possible, environments where we know that viruses are latent.
• Use tissues.
• A combination of extra virgin olive oil and lemon can optimize liver’s job and contribute to detoxification of the body. These two ingredients facilitate the ejection of toxins and wastes that obstruct the liver function and, long-term, affect health. So, we can prepare a drink, combining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, a glass of water and a few slices of lemon. These ingredients are processed in the blender and it is taken on an empty stomach.
• Anyway, if you are not affected by a cold, take a spoonful of extra virgin olive oil directly, or adding a little sugar to achieve a pleasant taste paste and you will see how it has an immediate effect on the itching of the throat. You can also mix extra virgin olive oil with lemon juice and honey, to obtain a natural syrup that will help you to pass the bad drink of colds, especially if you have that dry cough that irritates the throat more and more.