Daily Consumption of Olive Oil: 30-Day Experience and Physiological Impacts on the Body
Ready to give the morning coffee a whack and replace it with a shot of olive oil? I'm all about trying new health hacks if they deliver the goods. I've dabbled in some wacky wellness trends, like guzzling apple cider vinegar and sipping on cucumber water, so sliding a shot of olive oil down my gullet seemed like a walk in the park. After all, celebs and TikTok influencers swear by it, claiming it boosts energy, aids digestion, increases satiety to curb cravings, and even benefits your skin, hair, and nails.
But does it really work? That's what I set out to find out when I added extra virgin to my daily routine every day for a whole month. Here's what happened, and why it's not something I'll be sticking with on the daily.
What's in that Tasty Tube of Gold?
Olive oil is made by smashing olives and extracting the fat. It's jam-packed with oleic acid and other yummy fatty acids like linoleic and palmitic. Plus, it's loaded with monounsaturated fats and antioxidants like polyphenols. This little beauty can improve your heart health, help manage inflammation, and lower bad cholesterol levels. Some research even suggests it could help manage weight by reducing cravings.
Good quality olive oil packed with antioxidants can protect your cells from damage and contribute to overall health. So, if you plan to give it a shot, aim for the finest quality stuff.
My Monthlong Olive Oil Adventure
I dived headfirst into a tub of extra virgin olive oil, downing a tablespoonful every day. Not gonna lie, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I chugged it first thing in the morning before my beloved cup of joe or breakfast, followed by a swig of water. The Spanish EV olive oil from my local store actually wasn't half bad, even the spicy hit at the back of my throat.
I felt fuller after consuming it, which made me question if it could be used for managing weight or curbing snack attacks. But my scale ain't budging, so it wasn't enough to slice my waistline. I threw in a little protein shake before my workouts to ensure I stayed on track.
My skin might have looked a tad dewier, but I can't confirm it was solely due to additional olive oil or if my recent alcohol hiatus played a part. All I can say is my skin is freakin' glowing, but I'm afraid the olive oil alone won't fill the booze-shaped void in my heart.
After a month, I couldn't definitively say my heart health had vastly improved nor did I feel like Super Saiyan Warrior Three—sleeping like a baby or transforming my digestion. Heck, I may have lost a kilo or two if it weren't for the extra calories, but it's not enough to trump the temptation of my morning coffee.
Calling Time on My Oil Ritual
Olive oil isn't your magic fat fairy, but a little dash in your diet can make a difference. It's a delicious part of the Mediterranean diet that's been shown to improve heart health and lower bad cholesterol. So, I'll be sprinkling it on my salads, grilled veggies, and pasta, but it ain't replacing my morning Joe anytime soon. Cheers to that!
Stay tuned for more tips on how to get fit and feel fabulous. Next up, a 4-move dumbbell routine that'll torpedo your upper body and core in just 15 minutes.
References
- The Health Benefits of Olive Oil: Facts and Fiction
- Olive oil intake and the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and all causes of mortality: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies
- Monounsaturated fatty acids, macronutrient composition, and incidence of cardiovascular disease in 3 large prospective studies
- The effects of olive oil and a Mediterranean diet on mortality and cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Health Benefits of Olive Oil Polyphenols
- Although olive oil contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, antioxidants like polyphenols, and may help manage inflammation and lower bad cholesterol levels, it wasn't a sufficient replacement for morning coffee in promoting energy, better digestion, or weight loss in my personal experience.
- Incorporating olive oil into a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains, as part of the Mediterranean diet, could potentially bring about numerous health benefits such as improved heart health and lower bad cholesterol levels.
