Olive Oil: How This Liquid Gold Can Aid in Scientific and Healthy Weight Loss

Liquid Gold – Olive Oil

Olive oil is an ancient food and a recognized source of healthy fats, consumed by people for thousands of years. The oleic acid in olive oil helps improve cholesterol levels, increasing levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL). It also offers numerous other benefits, including lowering blood pressure, preventing heart disease, and balancing gut flora.

The most significant characteristic of olive oil is its powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, similar to omega-3 fatty acids. High levels of inflammation in the body can affect leptin secretion, making it harder to lose weight. The antioxidants in olive oil mainly come from its vitamin E and squalene content. Squalene is an important antioxidant, ideal for skin care. Vitamin E helps relieve dry skin, acts as an antioxidant, and strengthens the immune system.

While olive oil offers many benefits, the refinement and quality of commercially available olive oils vary considerably. Because olive oil is a monounsaturated fatty acid, its stability is lower than that of saturated fatty acids. Therefore, it is easily damaged when exposed to light, air, and excessive heat.

When buying, it's best to choose extra virgin olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is unrefined, while medium virgin, virgin, refined, and blended olive oils are partially or completely refined, or contain refined oils. The higher the refinement level of olive oil, the lower its vitamin and antioxidant content. High-quality olive oil retains most of its antioxidants and vitamin E, protecting it from damage during moderate-temperature cooking. This means that high-quality olive oil can be used for low-temperature stir-frying. You get what you pay for; overly cheap olive oil is not recommended, as it is often adulterated with soybean oil, rapeseed oil, and other vegetable oils.

Additionally, it's recommended to choose extra virgin olive oil packaged in dark glass bottles. This dark packaging helps protect the olive oil from light-induced oxidation. Proper storage of olive oil is also crucial. For example, olive oil should be stored in a cool place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources such as stovetops, to ensure that its nutritional components are preserved to the greatest extent.

Therefore, it's best to consume plenty of fresh extra virgin olive oil. It's not only beneficial for your health but can also help you lose weight more effectively.