The fat that makes you slim
Fat that makes you slim???
Olive oil has the highest energy density of all foods. So how can such a calorie-rich fat make you slim?
Numerous scientific studies show that daily use of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) instead of other fats (meat, dairy) leads to a lower BMI and a healthier weight. For instance, the results of a scientific study in which 515 people were followed were recently published. Those who use extra virgin olive oil daily see a decrease in BMI, intestinal problems, and belly fat.
We explain how it works.
Many people suffer from chronic inflammation in the intestines, often without knowing it. This can be caused by poor eating habits, including too little variety, too much processed and ultra-processed food, or insufficient intake of essential nutrients (which would explain why one-sided diets have no long-term effect). Furthermore, chronic stress, alcohol, smoking, air pollution, medication use, insufficient exercise, and other causes play a major role. Intestinal inflammation, or colitis, leads to problems converting nutrients into energy and building blocks. The body reacts to this by converting part of the food into visceral and other body fats. The effect is that you gain weight.
Visceral fat
Visceral fat is the unhealthy belly fat that accumulates around your organs. Generally, you see it as a belly in men and as a spare tire in women. Visceral fat is a source of numerous lifestyle diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and dementia. Therefore, you do not want to stay slim just for "a good figure"; it is also of great importance for your health.
Healthy fat
Fresh, high-quality extra virgin olive oil contains substances called polyphenols. These substances inhibit and combat intestinal inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity, allowing your body to process food more efficiently instead of storing it as fat. Good olive oil is therefore a fat that helps you get rid of bad fat. Polyphenols such as oleocanthal and oleuropein improve the sensitivity of cells to insulin. When your insulin sensitivity is high, your body stores fat less quickly and your blood sugar levels remain more stable. The result is that you produce less body fat. If you also exercise sufficiently, you will start burning accumulated belly fat after a few months. The effect is that you lose weight. However, a healthy digestive system is essential for this.
In addition, polyphenols (such as the bitter-tasting oleuropein) stimulate the activation of brown adipose tissue. This is also known as healthy body fat. Brown fat burns calories to generate heat.
Finally, olive oil has a third effect: it promotes the release of satiety hormones such as oleoylethanolamide (OEA), which suppresses feelings of hunger. This is the natural way, comparable to GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Saxenda. In combination with healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, polyphenols therefore create a favorable metabolic environment, where the quality of the calories outweighs quantity alone.
You can taste it!
You can taste the active ingredients in extra virgin olive oil. Grab your olive oil and take a sip, just as you would taste wine: hold it in your mouth for a moment, let some air in, and only swallow after a few seconds. Oleuropein gives a bitter note on your tongue, while oleocanthal gives a peppery effect in your throat, about 15 seconds after swallowing.
Do you want less belly fat and a healthier life? Then use bitter olive oil with a firm, peppery finish, such as EH1200. If you prefer something less bitter, you can use the organic and pleasant-tasting Eleas or the Italian and fruity Goccia Umbra. The benefits of these olive oils at a glance:
- Anti-inflammatory: Reduces chronic inflammation that leads to belly fat, among other things.
Improved fat burning through metabolism activation.
Hormonal balance. Feels full faster, so you eat less.
Some of the sources consulted
About BMI and Weight Management
PREDIMED Study (2013/2018): The largest clinical study on the Mediterranean diet. It showed that a diet rich in EVOO did not lead to weight gain, despite high fat intake, and even helped reduce waist circumference. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1200303
About Inflammation and Polyphenols
Oleocanthal as a natural anti-inflammatory: A famous study in Nature showed that oleocanthal in olive oil works in a similar way to ibuprofen by inhibiting the COX enzyme.
https://www.nature.com/articles/437045a
About Insulin Sensitivity
Research indicates that the monounsaturated fatty acids in EVOO improve glucose metabolism. In this way, olive oil contributes to a reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
https://www.nature.com/articles/nutd201712