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.
While you can drink olive oil at any time of day, many people say that they prefer to do it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. So, taking a tablespoon every morning – on an empty stomach and wait 30 minutes before eating – is another way to give yourself a dose of ...
1-2 tablespoons are the ideal amount to consume in the morning, as they're the perfect amounts to get the benefits without overdoing it. Again, don't go straight to 2 tablespoons, work your way up! Also, based on how your stomach feels drinking EVOO, decide if you want to do this every morning, or every other morning.
For this reason, many doctors and health professionals advise taking a spoonful of EVOO on an empty stomach as a natural remedy to prevent cardiovascular diseases and fight against oxidation of our cells.
Effects of Olive Oil
Regular consumption of olive oil makes it easier for your body to eliminate harmful toxins and leaves your liver clean and healthy. You can actually maximize the benefits of olive oil by opting for extra virgin olive oil.
Don't Use Olive Oil For High-Heat Cooking.
Most foods are fried in oil between 350 °F and 400°F, so choose an oil with a high smoke point above 400°F, like vegetable oil or peanut oil, to be safe.
Consuming between one teaspoon and one tablespoon (three teaspoons) of olive oil should be enough to get you the benefits without upsetting your stomach. While you can drink olive oil at any time of day, many people say that they prefer to do it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
1) Better digestion
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.
Olive oil or another food-grade oil, taken by the tablespoon shortly before alcohol consumption, may help to slow the rate at which alcohol is absorbed, giving your body more time to adjust to its new blood chemistry. Greasy pizza works just as well, and tastes better ...
Drinking EVOO will help increase your healthy fats levels
These types of fatty acids are particularly good for reducing one's risk of heart disease. Therefore, drinking EVOO before you go to bed should allow your body to carefully digest and readjust.
How to take it? In order to enjoy its many benefits, it is recommended that you drink a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil as soon as you wake up on an empty stomach, or at least half an hour before having breakfast.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil To Help Tackle Sleep Deprivation
One study found that those who consumed extra virgin olive oil before bed experienced a significant increase in the amount of deep sleep they got each night. This is important, as deep sleep is crucial for both physical and mental health.
Clearly, it is not. Recommendations indicate consuming at least a couple of tablespoons to comply with the suggested polyphenols. Although if you want to take advantage of EVOO's benefits and increase the chances of a longer life, it is best to take four tablespoons a day as indicated by the WHO.
Store your oil in a cool, dark place. You should only reuse oil for further cooking or frying. You should not use it 'raw' for marinades or dressings.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil & The Intestines
New research is also showing that polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil may help balance the bacteria in our digestive tract; slowing the growth of unwanted bacteria. On this list of polyphenols are: oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol and ligstroside.
“Drinking small amounts of olive oil should not cause harm or elicit negative side effects for most people,” says Laing. Some might experience gastrointestinal discomfort, since consuming any unfamiliar food in excess can cause stomach distress.
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.
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!
Olive oil may help lower cholesterol levels as part of a healthy, balanced diet. EVOO undergoes the least processing and retains the most polyphenols, which may be important in reducing LDL cholesterol and increasing HDL cholesterol. People can consume EVOO raw or as an ingredient in many dishes.
But aim for no more than around three or four tablespoons of olive oil per day, Dr. Guasch-Ferré advised, as that amount is associated with the greatest benefits.
Olive oil may cause skin allergies and acne in some people with excess use. It may interfere with some medications like blood thinners and reduce their effectiveness. The high-calorie content of this oil may lead to weight gain and affect blood glucose levels.
It is also not recommended to store oil in the refrigerator because condensation within the bottle may lead to off flavors. Store your oil in a cool, dark cabinet or pantry. The optimal storage temperature for olive oil is 60 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.