You might have heard that the people in the Mediterranean region consume a small amount of olive oil every morning, and in recent years, consuming oils straight (due to their supposed health benefits) has spread beyond the Mediterranean region and become somewhat popular.

Those claims do have their basis in truth; drinking olive oil is certainly an efficient way to consume the antioxidants and all the healthy fats that are present in olive oil. However, not everyone has the taste buds for drinking olive oil, and aren't really enthusiastic about the practice as a result.

If you are one of these people, there are plenty of ways you can incorporate olive oil into your diet and reap the benefits offered by its nutrients and polyphenols. However, before we discuss them, let's talk about drinking olive oil and everything you need to know about it.

Should You Drink Olive Oil?

As previously stated, the practice of drinking olive oil is rooted in Mediterranean cultures, where it's considered a staple of healthy living, the Mediterranean diet, and beauty; certain Mediterranean cultures based their beauty products on olive oil, and for good reason.

However, whether you should drink olive oil primarily depends on your health goals and your preferences, as well as your access to high-quality olive oils and your dietary habits. Despite what you might have heard regarding the amount, moderation is key, so limit your intake to one or two tablespoons of olive oil a day.

People from the Mediterranean region predominantly take the oil on an empty stomach in the morning or before meals during the day. However, some people may experience bloating, diarrhea, or nausea if they consume too much at once. To combat this, many enhance the taste of the oil by infusing it with garlic, lemon, or herbs.

With that said, it's important to note that drinking olive oil isn't necessary to reap its numerous health benefits. Simply incorporating olive oil into your diet (perhaps as a salad dressing) is quite sufficient to reap all the benefits of olive oil and enjoy its taste without it being overbearing on your stomach.

Benefits of Olive Oil

Consuming olive oil daily, either by drinking a small amount or by simply incorporating it into your diet, has numerous benefits:

• Cardiovascular health: Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is rich in oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that helps improve cholesterol levels by reducing LDL (bad cholesterol) and raising HDL (good cholesterol). This contributes to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, including the risk of heart disease and strokes, while also supporting healthy blood pressure.
• Digestive system health: Consumption of olive oils helps lubricate the intestinal tract, which can alleviate constipation and help reduce the production of gastric acid, promoting overall gut health and weight loss management.
• Inflammation and oxidative stress relief: Olive oils contain oleocanthal and phenolic compounds like oleuropein, both of which have powerful antioxidant properties. These help combat free radicals and reduce oxidative stress. Olive oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and lowers inflammation associated with conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
• Metabolic support: Regular consumption of olive oil may improve blood sugar levels, helping manage type 2 diabetes and further reducing the risk of heart disease.

Best Olive Oil for Drinking

While olive oil intake offers many health benefits, it's worth noting that different types of olive oils vary in nutritional quality, have different amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids, and feature varying levels of anti-inflammatory effects.

The best olive oil for drinking is Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), which contains the highest percentage of polyphenols and antioxidants. If you want to learn more or you are looking for the highest-quality olive oil, don't hesitate to visit Frantoio Grove, whose olive orchard and EVOO mill lie at the heart of California.