How to take olive oil? There are several ways to take advantage of its properties. Know the best way to take it and how you can use it in the kitchen.
Within the group of foods essential for health, and particularly within the so-called Mediterranean diet, there is no doubt that olive oil becomes one of the fundamental foods when it comes to wanting to enjoy health in optimal conditions.
And it is an extremely beneficial food, because there are many benefits of olive oil that we find in this “delicacy of the gods.” In fact, there are those who advise consuming a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil every day, as a way to enjoy its incredible heart-healthy qualities.
But, as is common in many foods, sometimes in order to enjoy all its properties, there may be different ways when taking it. In this sense, how to take olive oil? And, above all, in what way can we use it in the kitchen?
How to take olive oil to enjoy its benefits
Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil a day
Many nutritionists defend the health benefits of consuming 1 tablespoon of olive oil every day (especially if it is extra virgin olive oil). Especially because it is a heart-healthy food, extremely rich in healthy fatty acids (especially omega-3), in addition to other beneficial natural compounds, such as antioxidants such as vitamin E.
However, this advice is very useful if we do not plan to consume more olive oil throughout the day, to avoid overdoing it since although it is a healthy food that does not contain cholesterol, it is extremely rich in fat.
Olive oil with a few drops of lemon
Taken as a home remedy, olive oil can help both against constipation and when it comes to purifying the liver. In this sense, you can take a daily tablespoon on an empty stomach of a little olive oil with a few drops of lemon.
You can learn more about this natural remedy in our special article on Why take a tablespoon of olive oil with lemon on an empty stomach.
How can we use olive oil in the kitchen?
There are many ways to use olive oil in the kitchen, mainly because today we can find a wide variety of recipes that use olive oil as a main ingredient. However, this time we have preferred to tell you about two ways of using this oil in many kitchens around the world.
Using olive oil as a dressing
It is common for olive oil to be used to prepare delicious, tasty and nutritious salads, mainly as a dressing. Therefore, a basic way to enjoy all its virtues is to dress the salad with a good splash of this oil.
But not just any type of olive oil will do. The best? Without a doubt, the best option is to opt for extra virgin olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is considered the highest quality, because it is extracted mechanically and refined is not used. It should not exceed 0.8º of acidity.
It is also possible to make an olive oil with lemon dressing, which helps to reinforce the various benefits that this wonderful “liquid gold” brings us. It is enough to mix a little olive oil with the juice of half a freshly squeezed lemon, and add it on top of the salad that we are going to serve.
And if you have a little more time, you can also prepare another express dressing to accompany your refreshing salad. What do you need? Take note: 100 ml. of olive oil, the juice of 1 lemon, 10 ml. of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of mustard, 1 clove of garlic, finely minced, salt and black pepper to taste. First squeeze the lemon and mix its juice with the vinegar, mustard and garlic clove. Add the oil and beat it well for a few seconds. To finish, add a little salt and black pepper.
Using olive oil for frying
It is also common to use olive oil for frying, an issue that, although not as healthy as if we take it raw (or if we boil or steam food), it is somewhat healthier than any other oil, if we compare it with oil. Sunflower (which is also commonly used for frying). However, as we mentioned, it is not the most appropriate option.
In fact, there are many nutritionists who warn that if we use olive oil for frying, we will end up turning a food that is originally heart-healthy, into a real enemy for the health of our heart.
The reason? If we heat it excessively, a hydrogenation process takes place, so that a good amount of hydrogen atoms will be added to the liquid. Contrary to popular belief, although harmful toxins will not be released, the oil will begin to break down, so most of its nutritional richness will be lost. That is, your healthy fatty acids and antioxidants will be destroyed by the heating process.
