Olive oil is one of the healthiest foods in the world. If you are starting a new healthy eating program, make sure that this oil is included. It is the basis of the Mediterranean diet, which has the longest-lived cultures in the world. Many of the effects of the Mediterranean diet on health promotion have been credited to the consumption of olive oil.
What are the health benefits?
The reason why olive oil should be on your list of healthy foods is a combination of two essential health nutrients. These two nutrients are monounsaturated fats and tyrosol esters.
First, monounsaturated fats help strengthen blood cholesterol levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease and improves blood glucose levels, which helps in the treatment of diabetes. The other nutrient, tyrosol esters, helps to protect against various diseases and infections and also to relieve pain, support vital organs and strengthen the immune system.
Why should you control how much you consume?
Although olive oil is one of the healthiest foods, it is pure fat, so you need to be careful with the amount you consume each time. A tablespoon contains approximately 120 calories, so adding just a few tablespoons to meals can actually increase the amount of calories in your food and meals.
How can you eat the right amount of olive oil?
To add the benefits of olive oil to your eating plan without overdoing it, place a tablespoon over a salad. Or you can sprinkle the meat before cooking to add flavor and moisture. Adding a tablespoon to a curry, casserole or any other hot dish will give you the healthy nutrients contained in the oil, without much altering the flavor or texture of the dish.
Just look at the statistics behind the Mediterranean diet to see the health benefits of olive oil. If you want to eat healthy foods as part of your new diet plan, make sure that this oil is one of the foods in your new, improved diet. Keep in mind that you cannot make unhealthy foods healthier simply by adding olive oil to them, so you still need to have a balanced diet. This means eating the right amount of food from the main food groups that are considered whole grains, fruits and vegetables, proteins, diaries, fats and sugar.