Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Drinking Olive Oil

The Mediterranean diet is regarded as one of the healthiest in the world, and rightly so. It contains fibre-rich foods that have all the necessary healthy fats that our bodies will need to survive.

That said, one of the main ingredients used in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil, which is widely used today because of its health benefits.

But what makes olive oil so beneficial? And if it's beneficial, how if we swallow it?

This blog explains why olive oil is so beneficial, how you can eat it, and if you can drink olive oil straight.

What Makes Olive Oil Beneficial?
It is no secret that extra virgin olive oil is the top type of cooking oil out there. However, as with anything else, all in moderation -- especially if you're planning on drinking olive oil.

The general benefits of olive oil comprise:

Anti-Inflammatory

Disease-fighting compounds, though more research is needed
Detoxifying properties

Contains healthy monosaturated fats and is high in polyphenols
The oleocanthal helps prevent or fight cancer -- though more research is required


Now, it's easy to say that olive oil is the healthiest oil to use, however is it so healthy that you can actually drink it?

According to some, drinking olive oil is almost like"benefiting from the origin", meaning you're basically reaping the full benefits of the oil instead of"watering it down" with food.

But it all depends on the brand of olive oil you are using, and if you are consuming it as a healthy alternative to other oils or planning on drinking olive oil straight.

IN SUMMARY
Olive oil contains numerous benefits, and people imply you can benefit from drinking it. But this all depends on the brand of olive oil you're using.
The Potential Benefits of Drinking Olive Oil Straight
According to numerous studies, there are loads of benefits of drinking olive oil, such as:

Getting Your Daily Dose of Healthy Fatty Acids
It's well known in this day and age that people consume too many unhealthy fats and also little healthy fats. Truth be told, it is difficult to know if you're eating the perfect item if you have no idea what the difference is.

So, here is what makes olive oil, specifically Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), a beneficial fatty acid dietary addition:

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA)

The polyunsaturated fats contained in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are effective at reducing bad cholesterol levels, which is excellent for lowering your risk of heart disease and strokes.


They're also tremendous for maintaining healthy cells and provide essential fats that your body can't produce on its own, like omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids.

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA)
Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are healthy fat molecules that can both help reduce bad cholesterol levels and boost your vitamin E intake. It's also full of oleic acid, which enhances cellular health and brain function.

Contains Healthy Polyphenols


Polyphenols are plant compounds that are extremely healthy for the human body. That is why you should choose extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) that has high phenolic content -- especially if you're planning on drinking it.

It contains numerous beneficial compounds, including oleocanthal, hydroxytyrosol, oleacein, oleuropein, tyrosol, and ligstroside.

Dietary guidelines suggest that 20-35% of your daily calory intake should come from PUFAs and MUFAs; all the more reason to elect for extra virgin olive oil as it's one of the richest plant sources of these healthy compounds and fatty acids.

So, drink a teaspoon (or 3 ) of high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil a day to boost your intake of these healthy fatty acids.

Constipation Relief


According to a study, individuals who consumed a teaspoon (4ml) of olive oil daily experienced significant constipation relief. Even though more studies are necessary to back up this claim, there is not any harm in trying it!

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Heart Health
It's no secret that extra virgin olive oil is excellent for your heart health. That is where the oleic acid said earlier comes into play. As opposed to other fats and oils, extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) may reduce the risk of heart disease.

In fact, according to one study, people who eat 60ml of olive oil a day were found to be 30% less likely to develop heart disease.

Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also states that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) full of oleic acid may reduce your risk of heart disease when consumed daily.

There are many more studies that indicate the benefits of oleic-rich extra virgin olive oil for heart health.

More Benefits of Drinking Extra Virgin Olive Oil Daily
Encourages bone health
Stabilises blood sugar levels
Anti-inflammatory
Promotes hair growth and health
Keeps skin moisturised
IN SUMMARY
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in healthy fatty acids which may help prevent or fight some diseases, regulate blood sugar levels, improve digestive health, and support bone health if a person absorbs one to three teaspoons daily.