Health experts agree that there is no wrong way to incorporate olive oil, often referred to as liquid gold, into your diet as it is a versatile and nutritious fat.
Research suggests that those who make the switch will also enjoy a long list of health benefits — but why is it?
It is monounsaturated and rich in antioxidants and other healthy compounds, unlike animal or processed fats, The New York Post reported.
Sip a spoonful, drizzle it on your ice cream, or pour it into your coffee, this liquid gold can be consumed in various ways.
Olive oil is most commonly used as a natural laxative, due to its role in treating constipation, a common gastrointestinal issue that leads to expensive doctor visits.
The problem is caused by the colon absorbing too much water from the poop, resulting in hard, hard-to-push stools, according to a Cleveland Clinic study.
Olive oil can alleviate bowel issues by soothing the inside and softening stool by absorbing more water. Additionally, studies suggest that increasing olive oil intake may reduce the risk of dementia, the seventh leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organization.
“Some antioxidant compounds in olive oil can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially having a direct effect on the brain,” Dr Anne-Julie Tessier of Harvard said. “It is also possible that olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health by benefiting cardiovascular health.”
This condiment is a key component of the Mediterranean diet and has been linked to a reduction in cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and respiratory disease, with studies showing that over half a tablespoon of olive oil can lower these risks.
Sipping one or two tablespoons of olive oil on an empty stomach early in the morning aids digestion, waste elimination, and regulates intestinal microbiota, as it helps line the stomach and aids digestion.
Certain variations of olive oil use heat to extract as much juice from the fruit as possible but it is made using a cold-pressing process and left unrefined, retaining some of the antioxidants and bioactive compounds.
Experts recommend consuming a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil to absorb as many nutrients as possible.
