Olive oil is among the healthiest foods with several benefits, as it is packed with antioxidants, healthy fats, and has anti-inflammatory properties, among others.
According to experts, olive oil – especially extra virgin – is great for you. So, what will happen if you take a teaspoon of this daily in your diet?
Nutritionists believe olive oil can relieve constipation due to its ability to provide added lubrication to the digestive system and soften stools so they are easier to pass. However, it is best to start with a spoonful to see how it affects you.
Olive oil is a natural laxative
Olive oil is among the most effective natural laxatives as it helps stimulate bowel movements by lubricating the digestive system, making it more moist and easier for hardened stools to pass through. Consuming a teaspoon daily will soften stools, making them easier to pass.
Doctors say oleic acid – a fatty acid found in olive oil- enhances the function of the intestinal barrier by increasing the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, while improving digestion in the long term.
Who should not use olive oil for digestion?
Doctors say that while it is a very useful ingredient, olive oil should not be consumed by:
- Babies and children, as they have not yet developed the proper swallowing techniques
- Those who must limit their intake of fat, as even healthy fats can lead to weight gain
- If you are taking blood pressure-lowering medications, olive oil will also work for it, and so can have adverse effects
- Consuming more than a teaspoon a day of olive oil can cause unwanted gastrointestinal issues, including bloating, gas, and even diarrhoea
- Those who are allergic to olive oil
However, before you start consuming olive oil for constipation, make sure to consult your doctor so that you will know whether it is safe for you.
Other benefits of olive oil
Apart from regulating your digestion, a few other benefits of olive oil include:
Helps prevent stroke
Disturbance of blood flow to your brain, either due to a blood clot or bleeding, causes a stroke. According to experts, olive oil is the only source of monounsaturated fat associated with a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.
Can fight against Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s is one of the most common neurodegenerative conditions across the world. One of its key features is the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques inside your brain cells, which may lead to a decline in cognition and memory loss. Studies say that olive oil reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment by reducing beta-amyloid plaques, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress.
Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
Olive oil may also protect against type 2 diabetes as it is enriched with ingredients that reduce blood sugar levels and fasting plasma glucose in people with type 2 diabetes.
Helps treat rheumatoid arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is one painful condition that olive oil can treat. The oil is linked with lower inflammatory markers and disease severity in people with rheumatoid arthritis, especially for more severe disease activity.