Olive oil is one of the healthiest foods in the world. If you are starting a new healthy eating program, you should make sure this oil is included. It is the basis of the Mediterranean diet, which has the longest living cultures in the world. Many of the beneficial health effects of the Mediterranean diet are attributed to the consumption of olive oil.
What are the health benefits?
The reason olive oil should be on your healthy food list is because of a combination of two key health-boosting nutrients. These two nutrients are monounsaturated fats and tyrosol esters.
First of all, monounsaturated fats help to 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, help protect against a number of health conditions and infections, as well as relieve pain, support your vital organs, and strengthen your immune system.
Why should you control how much you consume?
Even though olive oil is one of the healthiest foods out there, it is pure fat, so you need to be careful about how much you consume at any one time. One tablespoon contains approximately 120 calories, so adding just a few tablespoons to your meals can really increase the number of calories in your food and meals.
How can you eat the right amount of olive oil?
To add the health benefits of olive oil to your eating plan without going overboard, simply drizzle a tablespoon over a salad. Or you can sprinkle the meat before cooking to add flavor and moisture. Adding a tablespoon to a curry, stew, or any other hot dish will give you the health-boosting nutrients contained in the oil without altering the flavor or texture of your dish too much.
You only have to 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 eating plan, make sure this oil is one of the foods in your new improved diet. Keep in mind that you can’t make unhealthy foods healthier by simply adding olive oil to them, so you still need to eat a balanced diet. That means eating the right amount of food from the major food groups that are considered whole grains, fruits and vegetables, protein, dairy, fat, and sugar.
