Why You Should Try Drinking Olive Oil (2024)

FAQs

Why You Should Try Drinking Olive Oil? ›

From antioxidants that protect blood cells from damage, to cardiovascular benefits it has lots of positives to offer no matter how you consume it. Drinking olive oil is also widely known for being an aid in losing weight. It can also help the body dramatically during old age.

There's no doubt that olive oil is good for you. The American Heart Association says consuming olive oil daily leads to lower rates of premature death from heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. Including olive oil in your diet may reduce your risk of cancer and stroke, lower blood pressure, and reduce inflammation.

The first thing you might notice once you start taking EVOO on an empty stomach is a dramatic improvement in your digestion. Olive oil is said to essentially line your gut, soften the stool and, as a result, relieve constipation. (Yes, we're going there so hope you weren't reading this blog for the recipes!)

Antioxidant Benefits

The phenolics in olive oil have antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that contribute to the many benefits of 1 tablespoon of olive oil a day. Chronic inflammation may contribute to diseases such as cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and heart disease, and even obesity.

Olive oil comes from the olive fruit and contains monounsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids in olive oil seem to decrease cholesterol levels and have anti-inflammatory effects. Olive oil is commonly used in foods. As medicine, people most commonly use olive oil for heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

But olive oil is also loaded with powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants are biologically active and may reduce your risk of chronic diseases ( 6 , 7 ). They also fight inflammation and help protect your blood cholesterol from oxidation — two benefits that may lower your risk of heart disease ( 8 , 9 ).

Extra virgin olive oil is loaded with heart-healthy fats and antioxidants, making it a great addition to a nutritious diet ( 6 ). It has also been linked to a long list of benefits and may protect against inflammation, heart disease, breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes ( 54 ).

Drinking olive oil may cause weight gain if consumed in excess, and drinking the oil on its own is likely not as beneficial as consuming it with food. Also, many claims about drinking olive oil are not supported by research.

Lots of people in the Mediterranean drink about one-fourth of a cup of extra-virgin olive oil every morning. This helps cleanse the body, and gives the body a kick-start for the day. Usually, the small cup of olive oil is followed by a small glass of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon juice.

When drinking olive oil for health benefits, you should always choose extra virgin olive oil. This high-quality olive oil contains higher amounts of healthy fats and antioxidants when compared to refined olive oils and thus will provide the most health benefits.

Is it okay to drink olive oil straight? ›

Yes, you can drink olive oil, and it is known to have numerous health benefits. Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil rich in polyphenols, contains healthy monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular protective properties.

'Olive oil is a staple within the Mediterranean diet, a diet known for its positive effects on many aspects of health. ' 'However, when you dig deeper, it's clear extra virgin olive oil is the healthiest choice as it's made from cold-pressed olives, which means it's less processed than regular olive oil.

Studies have concluded that incorporating olive oil into your diet can significantly reduce the fat deposit in your liver. A compound found in olive oil, hydroxytyrosol, has even been shown to reduce the adverse effects of fatty liver disease.

First of all, olive oil can give the appearance of longer, thicker, healthier hair in an instant. Olive oil immediately gives hair a healthy shine that reflects the light and makes it look longer and fuller. Olive oil also helps seal and moisturize your strands, which keeps hair hydrated and protects against breakage.

As a general rule of thumb, between one and two tablespoons a day is a good amount of olive oil to consume. This goes for both olive oil that you drink for health benefits and also olive oil that you consume with food as part of your regular cooking process.

Olive oil is also linked with an improvement in digestive health, and may even relieve constipation. And some believe it can also help people with insomnia get a better night's sleep.