The Health Benefits of Increasing Olive Oil Intake During Winter Months
Olive oil, an integral part of the Mediterranean diet, is renowned for its numerous health benefits. As the winter months approach, it becomes increasingly important to evaluate the foods we consume and their impact on our overall health. Specifically, increasing your olive oil intake during this season can provide multiple advantages, addressing winter-related health concerns while enhancing your culinary experiences.
Top health reasons to increase your olive oil intake in winter:
Immune System Support: Winter is flu and cold season. Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and vitamin E, which help protect immune cells, fight off infections, and reduce oxidative stress that can weaken the body's defences.
Skin Hydration: Cold, dry air and indoor heating strip moisture from the skin, leading to dryness and irritation. The monounsaturated fats and vitamins in olive oil help strengthen the skin's barrier function, keeping it hydrated from the inside out and promoting a healthy complexion.
Natural Anti-inflammatory Properties: Olive oil contains a compound called oleocanthal, which has natural anti-inflammatory effects similar to ibuprofen. This can help alleviate increased joint stiffness and discomfort often associated with colder temperatures and conditions like arthritis.
Energy and Warmth: Fats provide sustained energy and help maintain body temperature, which is especially important in cold climates where the body works harder to stay warm. Incorporating healthy fats like olive oil into hearty winter meals can help meet these increased energy demands.
Improved Nutrient Absorption: Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they require fat for proper absorption in the body. Using olive oil in meals ensures you assimilate these crucial vitamins, which are important for overall health during winter.
Enhances Heart Health: Winter can be a challenging time for cardiovascular health. The monounsaturated fats in olive oil help manage cholesterol levels by lowering "bad" (LDL) cholesterol and increasing "good" (HDL) cholesterol, supporting a healthy heart.
Simple Ways to Increase Winter Intake
Drizzle it over warm soups, stews, and roasted vegetables.
Use it for cooking hearty dishes (olive oil has a high enough smoke point for most home cooking).
Mix it into whole grains, legumes, or mashed potatoes.
Make dressings for winter salads using olive oil, vinegar, and seasonings.
As the season changes and winter settles in, prioritizing your health is essential. Increasing your olive oil intake not only enhances your meals but also offers substantial health benefits that combat the adverse effects of the colder months. From boosting your immune system to supporting heart and digestive health, the reasons to incorporate more olive oil are compelling. This winter, consider making olive oil a staple in your diet for a healthier, more enjoyable season.
Make sure you buy a high polyphenol olive oil
It's important to make sure you buy a high polyphenol olive oil as its the polyphenols in olive oil that are responsible for its health benefits. Most brands in supermarket are low polyphenol olive oils. We recommend using an oil with a polyphenol count over 600mg/kg. OlvLimits Green Machine is a new brand of olive oil prdocued in Italy with over 1300mg/kg polyphenols and a perfect healthly addition to your diet over the winter months.
Olvlimits Green Machine High Polyphenol Olive Oil
£22.00 for 500ml