Living a long life, living to be a hundred years old, is the goal of many nations. Many experts have tried to study centenarians to find the secret to a healthy and long life. There are many factors involved.
Recently, some information suggests that consuming 1 tablespoon of olive oil per day can bring great health benefits and potentially save your life, helping you prolong your lifespan.
Incorporating olive oil into your diet provides you with an additional healthy nutritional option. Sometimes referred to as liquid gold, olive oil is the “king of good fats” – it is monounsaturated and contains many antioxidants and beneficial compounds.
Benefits of olive oil
Smooth bowel movement: Olive oil has a clear effect in promoting bowel movement. If you often suffer from constipation or indigestion, simply consuming olive oil can help solve this problem. Constipation is a common digestive issue that causes millions of people to seek medical help and spend a lot of money each year. Constipation blocks the removal of waste materials from the body, causing fatigue and even life-threatening bowel obstruction. Olive oil can help with this issue – the healthy fats help soothe the inside of the intestines and soften the stool by helping it absorb more water.
Good for memory: Studies also indicate that supplementing your diet with olive oil can reduce the risk of death from memory loss, the 7th leading cause of death worldwide according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Dr. Anne-Julie Tessier, postdoctoral research fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health (USA), said that some antioxidants in olive oil can pass through the blood-brain barrier and have direct effects on the brain. Olive oil can also indirectly benefit brain health through its cardiovascular benefits.
Good for the heart: Olive oil plays a vital role in the Mediterranean diet. This diet is believed to be good for cardiovascular health, reducing the risk of death, increasing longevity, and reducing obesity.
In addition, olive oil is also believed to be good for overall health, reducing the risk of death from cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and respiratory diseases, promoting longevity.
Best way to consume olive oil for optimal effectiveness
You can take 1-2 (15-30ml) tablespoons of olive oil in the morning. This is the best time to consume olive oil for health benefits, as your stomach is empty and will absorb it better. Consuming it at this time allows the olive oil to enter the stomach to support digestion, waste elimination, and regulate gut microbiota throughout the day.
When choosing olive oil, keep in mind: Some olive oils are processed using heat to extract and obtain the most juice from olives. However, extra virgin olive oil is produced through a cold-pressing process without refinement, retaining some antioxidants and bioactive compounds.
Olive oil can also help enhance absorption for those with poor absorption ability.