Amongst the wellness trends and healthy lifestyles promoted by many celebrities, she has gone viral on the internet urging us to drink a shot of olive oil every day.
Many show biz stars, such as Kourtney Kardashianthe Beyoncéthe Gwyneth Paltrow and the Jenifer Lopezthey extol the virtues of extra virgin olive oil, spreading it on their skin, to have, as they claim, glowing skin.
Lopez has even based her brand, JLo Beauty, around olive oil, claiming that her youthful appearance – despite her age – is not the result of botox or surgery, but thanks to the family beauty secret: moisturizing with olive oil.
On the other hand, Goldie Hawn says she drinks some olive oil before bed, but also uses it topically as a moisturizer, while the award-winning actress Sophia Lorenmentions bathing in it.
However, even though more and more celebrities are strongly touting the beautifying properties of olive oil, people with certain skin types should probably steer clear of this trend.
Specifically, according to The Conversation, those prone to acne or eczema, for example, may find olive oil exacerbates their problems, and so some dermatologists warn against using the product as skin care in general. But can consuming olive oil really do wonders for our health?
The benefits of olive oil
Olive oil is a superfood that contains anti-inflammatory properties, helps support the growth of healthy bacteria and improves brain function. It is also a rich source of essential fatty acids, including oleic acid, which is known to lower cholesterol, thus reducing the chances of heart disease.
Research has found that including olive oil in the diet shows encouraging results in a group of different diseases and can support weight management if used correctly.
Replacing butter, margarine, mayonnaise and dairy fat with olive oil has been linked to a lower risk of mortality. There is also evidence to suggest that the protective compounds in olive oil may help protect against cancer, dementia, and strengthen the liver and kidneys.
Of course, none of this is new information for healthcare professionals. The health benefits of extra virgin olive oil have been well researched, and nutritionists have promoted olive oil as an alternative to saturated cooking fats for years.
After all, the Mediterranean diet has been touted as one of the healthiest diets in the world for decades. The diet itself can vary from region to region, but olive oil is a constant. It is used as the main source of cooking fat and is included in many recipes.
The fat factor
However, fat of any kind is high in calories and consuming too much can lead to weight gain. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), to avoid unhealthy weight gain, adults should limit fat intake to 30% of total energy intake, with no more than 10% coming from saturated fat.
Two tablespoons of olive oil (the typical amount in photos shared by celebrities on social media) contains 28 grams of fat (238 calories) and 3.8 grams of saturated fat, which is 19% of the recommended daily intake.
So this daily intake of olive oil may not be the best idea, the related article states, and concludes that adding small amounts of olive oil to meals throughout the day is a more balanced approach to incorporating healthy fats into the diet.
Read also: Ultra-processed foods are linked to 32 health risks
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