There has to be a reason as to why olive
oil has become such a fond product for nutritionists and dieticians alike,
hasn’t there? Well of the many things olive oil is popular for, one is definitely
the fact that it is versatile oil that can easily be used for cooking as well
as raw preparations. Other than that a low fat cooking oil like olive oil has
been found to help people lose weight as well. But how much truth is there to
this statement?
Let us delve a little further into the
topic.
How Olive Oil Assists Weight Loss
When we come to talk about olive oil,
specifically extra
virgin olive oil, it has been shown, through a variety of tests, that it
can very well be one of the best ingredients to help promote weight loss. You
see, since extra virgin olive oil is extracted from the olive fruit naturally
and without the use of heat, it does not end up losing its nutritional value
when compared to other oils which are refined in nature.
As a result of this, it also happens to
have a high amount of naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that can be
found in olives. Because extra virgin olive oil has no additives and is able to
retain all the antioxidants found in olives thanks to the extraction method, it
makes for one of the best oils to add to your daily diet.
When it comes to regular olive oil, though
it does have its fair share of nutrients and makes for the best
low-fat cooking oil option, as it has a high smoking point, it has
undergone refining techniques to bring it to the store shelves after all.
During the refinement procedure the oil does tend to lose out on a few
nutrients making it a little less beneficial when compared to extra virgin
olive oil.
However, when one thinks about the best cooking oil available in
the market, the first name that comes to one’s mind is definitely olive oil. Another
great thing that makes olive oil or extra virgin olive oil both an amazing
addition to your diet is the fact that they contain MUFA, i.e. monounsaturated
fatty acids. These monounsaturated fatty acids just might be the key to help
you lose weight when you are using olive oil.
The best olive oil in the market
is sure to contain monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFA as this is the component
that also aids the stability of blood sugar levels and keeps the heart healthy
too. What MUFA does for weight loss is that it helps one feel fuller post the
consumption of a food made in olive oil. This in turn, keeps one away from
binge eating empty-calorie foods and helps promote weight loss to a great
extent.
No one is saying that the calorie count of
olive oil is less, but as a whole, when compared to other sources of fat like
butter and refined oil, it has been proven that olive oil is definitely
healthier. Olive oil also has a higher monounsaturated fatty acids content than
oils like sesame seed oil, corn oil and even sunflower oil.
Apart from all these properties, it has
also been proven that olive oil is a great product to enhance gastrointestinal
health. The monounsaturated fatty acids present in the oil help promote the
movement of the food through the gastrointestinal tract smooth, thus promoting
digestion. When your digestive system is functioning properly, then your
metabolism is maintained and you end up losing weight as well.
Thus, when you include olive oil in your daily
diet, you ensure that you lead a healthier and a more fulfilling life.
