Health experts agree that there’s no wrong way to incorporate olive oil, often referred to as liquid gold, into your diet because it’s a versatile and nutritious fat.
Research suggests that those who switch also enjoy a long list of health benefits – but why is that?
It’s monounsaturated and rich in antioxidants and other healthy compounds, unlike animal or processed fats, The New York Post reported.
Sip a spoonful, drizzle over ice cream or pour into your coffee, this liquid gold can be consumed in a variety of ways.
Olive oil is most often used as a natural laxative because it plays a role in treating constipation, a common gastrointestinal problem 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-pass stool, according to a Cleveland Clinic study.
Olive oil can relieve intestinal problems by soothing the inside and softening the stool by absorbing more water. Additionally, studies suggest that increased olive oil intake may reduce the risk of dementia, the seventh leading cause of death, according to the World Health Organization.
“Some of the antioxidant compounds in olive oil can cross the blood-brain barrier and potentially have a direct effect on the brain,” said Dr. Anne-Julie Tessier of Harvard. “It is also possible that olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health by benefiting cardiovascular health.”
This spice is a key component of the Mediterranean diet and has been linked to reduced cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease and respiratory disease, with studies showing that more than half a tablespoon of olive oil can reduce these risks.
Sipping a tablespoon or two of olive oil on an empty stomach early in the morning aids digestion, eliminates waste, and regulates gut microflora by helping to line the stomach and promote digestion.
Some varieties of olive oil use heat to extract as much juice as possible from the fruit, but are cold-pressed 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.
