Change your oil.

Health experts agree there’s no wrong way to get olive oil into your diet. Sip a spoonful, drizzle it on your ice cream, or pour it into your coffee.

Olive oil is sometimes called liquid gold because it is a monounsaturated fat packed with antioxidants and other healthy compounds not found in animal or processed fats.

Research suggests that switching to olive oil can provide numerous health benefits.

Olive oil is commonly used as a natural laxative, which can help alleviate constipation, the most common gastrointestinal complaint.

Olive oil is commonly used as a natural laxative, which can help alleviate constipation, the most common gastrointestinal complaint. This can save Americans from booking expensive doctor visits every year.

According to a paper published by the Cleveland Clinic, constipation occurs when the colon (large intestine) absorbs too much water from feces, resulting in dry and hard stool that is difficult to pass.

Olive oil can alleviate this problem by soothing the inside of the bowel and softening stool through increased water absorption.

Studies have shown that increasing olive oil intake may reduce the risk of dying from dementia, which is the seventh leading cause of death according to the World Health Organization.

Dr. Anne-Julie Tessier of Harvard explains that some antioxidant compounds in olive oil can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially directly affecting the brain. Additionally, olive oil may indirectly benefit brain health by promoting cardiovascular health.

Olive oil is a significant component of the Mediterranean diet. This diet has been shown to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, specifically coronary heart disease, and the risk of death from any cause.

Studies have also shown that consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil can lower the risk of dying from cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and respiratory disease. 

If you are wondering when to consume olive oil, please seek advice from a healthcare professional.

Sipping one or two tablespoons of olive oil early in the morning on an empty stomach is beneficial.

It allows the oil to line the stomach, aiding digestion, expelling waste, and regulating the intestinal microbiota throughout the day.

When buying olive oil, choose variations that do not use heat to extract juice from the fruit.

Extra virgin olive oil is created using a cold-pressing process and left unrefined, retaining antioxidants and bioactive compounds.

Experts recommend consuming a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil to obtain the maximum nutrients.