Did you know that adding olive oil to your diet, especially a plant-based diet, is beneficial to your weight loss regimen?
You might not have known of its weight loss benefits because the olive oil is more popularly known for its health benefits.
Olive oil is a rich source of monounsaturated oleic acid which is why it is known as one of the healthiest fats in existence.
The many beneficial effects of this fatty acid make it one of the healthy choice of oils for cooking.
What’s more, the olive oil contains large amounts of powerful antioxidants plus vitamins E and K which are all very good for your health.
Listed among its health benefits are reducing inflammation, supporting your heart health and lowering your blood pressure. And, because it has powerful antioxidants, it can even have anticancer effects.
So, how can the olive oil exactly help you in losing weight? If the fact that it is one of the main components of a Mediterranean diet cannot convince you, then perhaps science will.
While we already know that olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, it also contains medium-chain triglycerides. And, these two are known for their benefits in weight loss diets.
However, take note that it can only be useful in your goal of losing weight if you use a specific amount in a certain way.
Only small amounts because much like the avocado, olive oil is high in calories.
So, remember, only small amounts for it to be beneficial. Thus, you can use it as dressing for your salads, or mixed into your pasta or soup, you can also drizzle it onto your pasta or vegetable or incorporate it into your baking. This means that it can be a healthy swap for butter. A small amount can really go a long way with olive oil.
According to the Daily Express, a study had shown a significant weight loss among obese men who had their saturated fat intake replace with monounsaturated fats.
A diet that is rich in monounsaturated fat is also known to prevent weight gain, one of the problems that many weight losers struggle with especially when they tend to lose fat in a fast way.
Losing weight is better achieved if you pair a healthy diet with regular exercise. And, olive oil can also aid you here because its fats are said to be great energy boosters which means that adding it to your diet can help you perform better when you are doing your exercises.
So, you might consider adding olive oil to your diet not only to help you with your weight loss regimen but also for your health.
Image credit courtesy of Smabs Sputzer (1956-2017)/Flickr
