10 Benefits of Taking Olive Oil Daily

Pure extra virgin olive oil has so many benefits that we’ve gathered our top 10 reasons why you should drink it everyday! Many of us already use olive oil as their go-to cooking oil, mainly for its taste and nutritional value. But did you know, when you add it to your food, you can be stirring away its nutritional benefits?

If you want to ensure to get all the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, then drink it as is without mixing it with anything else. Drinking oil may sound gross and hard to swallow but you only need a tablespoon to start. You can even add a dash of lemon juice to add flavor!

Here’s 10 reasons why you should drink extra virgin olive oil everyday!

1. Strengthens Immune System 

Extra virgin olive oil is known to boost the immune system due to its high concentration in antioxidants and monounsaturated fats with anti-inflammatory properties. Chances for our immune system to defend against viral and bacterial infections, get higher with daily consumption of olive oil, since it plays a great role in increasing the number of cells involved to resist any foreign pathogens.

2. Lowers Blood Sugar

Extra virgin olive oil facilitates the process of stabilizing type 2 diabetes, a precursor to even  more serious health problems. Insulin is the hormone that helps control blood sugar levels, so when this condition develops, the body either doesn’t produce enough of it or it simply becomes resistant to it. The monounsaturated fatty acids found in extra virgin olive oil help lower blood sugar levels more than the other oils, by producing insulin, making it thus ideal for people who suffer from this condition.

3. Healthy Heart

Recent studies have shown that people with consumption of more than half a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil daily, have less chances of developing cardiovascular problems and coronary heart disease. As we know, extra virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats. Oleic acid, which is a type of monounsaturated fatty acid, helps regulate heart health. So, consider replacing other fat sources with extra virgin olive oil, where that is applicable, for better heart health.

4. Liver Detox

The liver’s primary functions are to store vitamins and minerals, detoxify blood, metabolize fats, proteins and carbohydrates, synthesize plasma proteins, activate enzymes, excrete cholesterol, hormones and drugs and produce and excrete bile. By consuming extra virgin olive oil daily, we help our liver perform these functions even more properly, since it’s a natural laxative and encourages the release of bile. This helps the liver release stored toxins, making extra virgin olive oil great for liver detox. In addition, it reduces the deposit of fat in the liver, becoming an ideal addition to diets for fatty liver.

5. Brain Power

There have been various studies that link overall brain health with the consumption of extra virgin olive oil. While we know that mental disorders can’t be cured simply by consuming cooking oils, the polyphenols and antioxidants found in extra virgin olive oil, indeed contribute to maintaining a healthy brain. Olive oil improves brain memory, and may help prevent mental declines such as Alzheimer’s and depression.

6. Optimum Daily Intake

According to the US FDA, our daily intake of monounsaturated fatty acids should be at least around 17.5 grams, which is about 1.5 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. So consume a tablespoon of olive oil daily, instead of cooking with it. Additionally, there are cases where we need a small boost to our daily intake and a tablespoon will help with just that.

7. Beautiful Skin, Hair & Nails

Extra virgin olive oil has the ability to offer our hair, skin, nails and bones amazing benefits. While there are many beauty products that use it as a base ingredient that require direct application, more benefits can be acquired by simply drinking a tablespoon daily. It can repair damaged hair and nails and significantly promote their growth, while making them look much healthier.  In addition, it keeps our skin nourished and moisturized.

8. Inflammation & Bone Prevention

Extra virgin olive oil is extremely rich in anti-inflammatory compounds, one of which is oleocanthal, a natural phenol found only in this plant. Oleocanthal has the ability to prevent, reduce and relieve inflammation. It works in a similar way ibuprofen does, by inhibiting enzymes COX-1 and COX-2, which produce prostaglandins that promote inflammation. Various studies also have shown that people who drink a tablespoon daily, have greater bone density as well.

9. Helps Digestive System

Some people relieve chronic constipation by drinking a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil daily on an empty stomach. By doing that, the colon gets its own relief as well. Since extra virgin olive oil helps the digestive system, stools become softer and everything moves easier through the colon. Additionally, it helps protect and restore the mucus lining of the colon from passing hard stools.

10. Lose Weight

Extra virgin olive oil plays a big role in satiety, giving a sensation of fullness. This happens because extra virgin olive oil promotes high levels of satiety hormone serotonin, which, combined with its aroma compounds, can help people eat less and lose weight! But be careful to exceed your daily calories intake. Recent studies have shown that there is no such risk if we maintain a balanced diet as a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil contains only 119 calories, which may be significant as long as you are sure not to replace other fats with it.

While it’s true that people in the Mediterranean consider extra virgin olive oil a main ingredient in their daily diets and pour it liberally rather than measuring it by the spoon, it’s important to keep moderation in mind. Whether you choose to drink it or cook it, always prefer consumption in the context of a balanced diet and stick to the recommended amounts of daily intake, rather than going overboard. Too much is never good, even for the purest things.

In the end, always do your own research, especially when it involves your health.

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