Are the Benefits of Drinking Olive Oil Before Bed Real?

Olive oil is known to be packed with health benefits. But if you’ve heard about all the amazing things that this healthy fat can do, you might be wondering if the benefits of drinking olive oil before bed may be too good to be true. Keep reading to see how you can improve your own health with a small sip of oil each day.

5 Major Benefits of Drinking Olive Oil 

Drinking olive oil is a great way to improve your health. That’s because there are a variety of benefits that come along with consuming this healthy oil. These health benefits of olive oil are a convincing argument for trying to work your daily allowance of this delicious oil into your routine.

1. Improving cardiovascular health

Since extra virgin olive oil is packed with monounsaturated fats, it has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. This healthy fat is beneficial to your heart health when eaten regularly.

2. Digestive health improvements

In addition to helping improve your cardiovascular system, olive oil is also a great digestive aid. The oil helps lubricate the intestinal tract and may help reduce the production of gastric acid. Both factors can result in reduced symptoms associated with heartburn and acid reflux. 

3. Healthier skin and hair

Thanks to the large amounts of vitamin E and vitamin K found in olive oil, drinking it regularly will help replenish damaged skin and hair.

4. Inflammation reduction

Extra virgin olive oil is made up of oleic acid and smaller amounts of other fatty acids. This is an antioxidant that is packed with anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, this natural compound has similar qualities as ibuprofen.

5. Nutrition absorption

While olive oil has plenty of health benefits on its own, it can also help you get the most out of the other foods in your diet. Since the oil aids in digestion, it also helps your body absorb the vitamins and nutrients found in all the other healthy food you add to your diet.

When Should You Drink Olive Oil?

Figuring out when the best time to drink olive oil can be difficult if you’re not sure when you’ll see the most benefits. While some groups of people see more benefits of drinking olive oil at night, others think it’s best to drink your olive oil first thing in the morning.

No matter when you enjoy your olive oil, you’ll be able to take advantage of all the health benefits listed above. But some believe that drinking olive oil at a certain time of day can amplify those benefits. 

Drinking Olive Oil Before Bed

Drinking olive oil before bed is common in some Mediterranean regions, but there is no specific scientific evidence to show why drinking it straight or at night matters.

One of be biggest advantages many have found to drinking olive oil before bed is that it could heLp you sleep better.

Since the healthy fats found in olive oil make you feel fuller longer, you can trick your body into thinking your full before you fall asleep.

In addition to helping you sleep more soundly, the oil can also aid in digestion while you’re sleeping

Drinking Olive Oil in the Morning

Alternatively, many people swear by drinking their olive oil first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

One of the biggest reasons for this is that it helps curb your appetite when you wake up. Just as drinking olive oil before bed tricks your stomach into feeling full, drinking the oil in the morning may give you the allusion of fullness, allowing you to eat less throughout the day.

How Much Olive Oil Should You Drink Per Day?

Now that you see how beneficial this natural oil is for your health, you’re probably ready to start adding it to your daily routine. Although some people drink up to ¼ cup of olive oil per day, if you’re just starting to add the oil to your diet, it’s best to start slow. Starting with just one spoonful of olive oil per day is a great way to introduce the oil into your diet without upsetting your stomach.

And while olive oil is packed with healthy benefits, it’s important not to overdo it. Ingesting too much olive oil in one sitting could result in stomach upset and issues for your digestive system in the short term. And since the oil is high in calories and fat, drinking too much olive oil could cause weight gain over time.

You may also like our bone broth review and the potential benefits it offers!

How Do You Drink Olive Oil?

Although olive oil can make your dinner taste amazing, the flavor of straight oil may not be for everyone. If you enjoy the flavor of plain olive oil, you can drink your daily serving straight without any extra ingredients to help make it more palatable. 

Otherwise, you can add your own flavors to the oil to make it taste better when you drink it. Add a squeeze of fresh lemon or lime juice to the oil. Or simply add it to a small glass of water or tea to make it easier to drink. We prefer to add in olive oil through eating a Mediterranean diet which is rich in the super food.

What is the Best Olive Oil to Drink?

When drinking your olive oil straight, finding a good, high-quality oil is essential. Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for drinking because it’s made with minimal processing.

To make extra-virgin olive oil, producers start by crushing the olives, then separating the oil from the pulp. The oil is then cold-pressed, allowing the nutrients from the olive to remain, making it a healthier option than regular olive oil.

How to Store Olive Oil

Olive oil can stay good for up to 3 years when it’s stored correctly. You should store your olive oil in a cool dark place away from heat. It’s best to store the oil in a dark or opaque glass container with a tight lid.

How to Cook With Olive Oil

While you can drink olive oil before bed or first thing in the morning, you can also incorporated it into a healthy diet to get a lot of health benefits.

If you cook with olive oil, you want to avoid cooking it on high heat. This breaks down the oil which makes it lose some of its beneficial effects. You’ll want to cook at a medium to low heat.

We like to use a couple tablespoons of olive oil in our pastas or marinades. Another way to incorporate it is to drizzle a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil over our salads, breads, or fresh vegetables. We sometimes also add with a dash of lemon juice.

Final Notes

While there are numerous health benefits of olive oil, they could also be linked to diet with healthy fat sources. There is no extra benefits of drinking olive oil before bed. You can get the maximum benefits from olive oil anytime of the day.

The oil – and any food rich in fat – is going to be high calorie as well. This should be noted if you’re trying to lose weight because it may throw you out of a calorie deficit. If you’re a keto diet though, it could be a great way to up your healthy fats.

While olive oil can help the human body, it is just one very small piece in approving your overall health.

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THESE STATEMENTS HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.