A dash of olive oil in your coffee provides a uniquely flavoured beverage loaded with healthy compounds of each ingredient
Coffee is among the most consumed beverages in the world, and rightly so. In addition to its energising effects, coffee has been linked to a long list of potential health benefits, giving you all the more reason to get brewing. However, adding a little olive oil to your cup can just enhance the advantages.
According to experts, just a dash of olive oil in your coffee can provide a uniquely flavoured beverage that is loaded with not just healthy compounds of each ingredient but even tastes good. Having it in the morning can reduce inflammation and lower your risk of many chronic conditions as well.
Benefits of adding olive oil to coffee
Protects against heart diseases
Studies say that just half a tablespoon of olive oil daily can lower your risk of cardiovascular diseases by at least 15 per cent, and a 21 per cent lower risk of coronary heart disease.
Since olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats - especially oleic acid—it helps increase good HDL cholesterol and lower bad LDL. Also, since it is packed with antioxidants, olive oil helps prevent atherosclerosis—which hardens the arteries by reducing inflammation and protecting against oxidised cholesterol.
Prevents strokes
Olive oil is instrumental in helping lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and also protects you against stroke. Studies have reported that consuming 1.5 to 2.2 tablespoons of olive oil daily reduces the risk of stroke and heart disease.
Can lower the risk of cancer
According to research, high consumption of olive oil in Mediterranean countries is linked to a lower risk of various types of cancer among the people living there. It is due to the presence of antioxidant-rich phenolic compounds in the oil, which protects the cells from free radicals.
The impact of high olive oil intake on specific cancers included:
- Urinary tract cancer
- Breast cancer
- Gastrointestinal cancer
- Head, lung and neck cancer
Improves gut health
The antioxidants and monounsaturated fats in olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties that help with inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD, like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. According to studies, extra-virgin oil significantly makes the markers of inflammation and symptoms such as bloating, constipation, and heartburn much better.
It also helps improve intestinal health as it raises the variety of good gut bacteria, which improve symptoms for people with IBD.
Reduces symptoms of depression
According to studies, drinking coffee along with a dash of olive oil helps reduce symptoms of severe depression. Experts say adding around a tablespoon of olive oil for two months can improve the symptoms significantly.
Downsides of adding olive oil to your morning coffee
Can increase calories
While it may give additional benefits, adding extra-virgin olive oil to your coffee increases your daily caloric intake. Olive oil has a high-fat content and is calorie-dense as well.
Can trigger digestion issues in some people
While it does help alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders like inflammatory disease, consuming excessive amounts of olive oil causes gastric problems like bloating and diarrhoea.
Can taste just bad
When it comes to drinking coffee, people have their own preferences, and so for many, adding olive oil to coffee can taste bad. Factors like the type of olive oil can also impact the taste, though any type of olive oil will have an impact on the flavour and texture of coffee.
How to make olive oil coffee?
To make olive oil coffee, you need to have:
- Half cup milk
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 espresso shot or a teaspoon of instant coffee
Method:
- Combine milk and olive oil, then heat up
- Froth the milk and add either coffee powder or an espresso shot to a mug, and pour the milk and olive oil mixture over the espresso.
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