3 potential benefits of taking olive oil on an empty stomach

It is no news that consuming olive oil has many benefits, as it is an ingredient packed with antioxidants that is perfect for cooking or using as a dressing, but you can also drink it on an empty stomach in the mornings.Olive oil is one of the main elements in the Mediterranean diet, which has also been said to be a great way to eat healthily, and people who take olive oil on an empty stomach report that it helps detoxify their body, soothe their stomach, and even aid in weight loss.Some people in the Mediterranean region drink 1/4 cup (60 ml) of olive oil every morning, and this could indeed be a way to take advantage of its multiple anti-inflammatory and disease-preventive benefits.While there is still not enough research to support that drinking it is better than using it in a meal, and taking olive oil could lead to weight gain rather than the opposite, drinking it on an empty stomach does have potential benefits that we explain below.3 benefits of taking olive oil on an empty stomachVarious studies suggest that drinking olive oil may offer several health benefits, for example:1. It may help reach the recommended intake of healthy fatsThe recommendation in dietary guidelines is that 20 to 35% of calories should come from fats, mainly from polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), but while most people consume enough total fat, many do not get enough PUFA and MUFA.Olive oil is one of the richest plant sources of MUFA, and drinking a couple of tablespoons of olive oil a day could help you reach the recommended amount of this fat if you are not consuming enough in your diet. MUFAs are especially beneficial for heart health and may help reduce your risk of heart disease.MUFAs are found in some animal products, but studies suggest that their greatest health benefits are achieved by consuming plant sources of this fat, such as certain oils, nuts, seeds, and other plant sources.2. It may relieve constipationA 4-week study showed that administering approximately 1 teaspoon (4 ml) of olive oil per day to 50 patients with constipation on hemodialysis resulted in significantly softer stools.Another study involving 414 people over 50 found that 97.7% of those who had more than 3 bowel movements per week consumed a lot of olive oil. Although these findings are promising, more studies are needed to better understand how drinking olive oil may help relieve constipation.3. It may have heart benefitsOne of the compounds found in large amounts in olive oil is oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fat believed to play a role in supporting heart health, which may reduce the risk of heart disease when used instead of other sources of fat.In fact, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that replacing saturated fat-rich oils and fats with 1.5 tablespoons (22 ml) of high oleic acid oils per day may reduce the risk of heart disease. However, to achieve this benefit, the calories from oleic acid should not increase the total amount of calories you consume daily.Additionally, one study found that consuming at least 4 tablespoons (60 ml) of olive oil results in a 30% lower likelihood of developing heart disease, compared to those in the study who followed a low-fat diet for 5 years, and many other studies have shown that those with a high intake of olive oil have a lower risk of heart disease.Olive oil is a healthy fat that contains anti-inflammatory compounds, and taking it regularly can indeed benefit the heart, as well as bones and digestive health, in addition to helping stabilize blood sugar levels.