The ancient Greeks were on to something when they referred to olive oil as an "elixir of youth and health." Centuries later, research offers evidence about the benefits of olive oil in our daily diets. Consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day may lower heart disease risk, a 2020 study found.
While a spoonful of olive oil might not change your life on day 1, consistent consumption of EVOO is proven to provide a multitude of long-term health benefits, such as better cardiovascular health, a reduced risk for cancer, Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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.
Well, according to the experts, they recommend daily consumption of about 40 ml of extra virgin olive oil, which means four tablespoons a day, representing about 37 grams.
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.
These fatty acids have been proven to aid in the regulation of the immune system, and even help treat some autoimmune diseases. Olive oil in the morning is a great boost to your immune system and get those necessary fatty acids to keep you feeling good and healthy.
Taking a high-quality extra virgin olive oil before bedtime combats inflammation, protects against heart disease and help remove free radicals – whilst you sleep. If you're looking for a natural way to reduce inflammation in your body, consider taking a bedtime shot of extra virgin 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.
“Olive oil is very healthy for your liver,” notes Dr. Lindenmeyer. “Olive oil raises your good cholesterol, which is actually protective for your liver against fatty liver disease and also separately good for your heart.”
The monounsaturated fats in olive oil offer several health benefits. However, excess consumption of olive oil may cause several side effects. It may cause acne, allergies, skin rashes, blackheads, and saturated- and trans-fat-related diseases. It may also cause diarrhea and inflammation in some people.
Olive oil lowers the blood sugar level below normal and may lead to health problems like hypoglycemia, sweating, trembling, weakness, etc. Over-consumption of olive oil can cause a massive fall in the blood pressure and may lead to problems like dizziness, lightheadedness, stroke, and even kidney failure.
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.
One tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains 120 calories, 14 grams of fat, zero cholesterol, and zero sodium. 77% of the fat in extra virgin olive oil is monounsaturated (more depending on the varietal of the olive), 9% is polyunsaturated fat, and 14% is vegetable-derived saturated fat.
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.
Olive oil is packed full of beneficial antioxidants that can lower your "bad" (LDL) cholesterol while leaving your "good" (HDL) cholesterol untouched.
The fats in olive oil can help smooth the insides of the bowel, making it easier for stools to pass. It can also help the stool hold in more water, keeping it softer. One tablespoon of olive oil, taken on an empty stomach in the morning, may relieve constipation for many healthy adults.
In addition, olive oil also helps to protect the cells that line the gut. This is important because it helps to prevent leaky gut syndrome, which can lead to all sorts of health problems. Another way that olive oil supports gut health is by helping to reduce inflammation.
In addition to complementing the flavor of coffee, olive oil can also boost coffee's appetite-suppressing qualities. A spoonful of extra virgin olive oil in your coffee will help you stay sated for longer.
The health benefits of olive oil have been attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, observational studies have shown a link between lower risks of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and even dementia in people who consume higher amounts of olive oil than those who use little or none.
Yes, you can leave olive oil on your scalp overnight.
In the morning, rinse the oil out thoroughly with a gentle shampoo and follow up with a conditioner if needed.
Recommended amount of daily intake
According to PREDIMED, and according to the indications of the study doctors, the recommended daily intake of extra virgin olive oil is 40 milliliters, that is, about four or five tablespoons daily.