Nutritionist shares kitchen staple which can help weight loss and skin clarity
Maintaining beneficial eating habits, alongside healthy skin, hair and nails can be really tough during the winter months.
The temptation to binge on comfort food is real, and the cold weather and central heating combination can be catastrophic for maintaining moisture levels in our bodies.
But health experts have shared that there's an unusual kitchen cupboard staple that if consumed for 30 days, can significantly improve your overall health. So what is it?
The answer to your winter woes is olive oil, which can be purchased from Sainsbury's for £3.30, and Asda for £2.80. But how are you supposed to consume it? Experts recommend that you consume a shot of olive oil a day, for a month.
Abigail Roberts, Sports Nutritionist at Bulk.com explained: "When you drink olive oil daily, something extraordinary can happen to you. It is packed with antioxidant compounds, like vitamin E, oleacein, and oleocanthal, as well as compounds called polyphenols, which are phenomenal for your hair, skin, joints, and weight."
Dr Michael Mosley shares exercise that can cut cholesterol and blood pressureAnd when it comes to your skin, nails, and hair "olive oil is full of healthy fatty acids" which can significantly help. Abigail continued: "It is also rich in antioxidants and skin-friendly lipids that can help address skin concerns like dryness or rough-feeling skin. While many people will spend a fair amount of money on skin creams and hair masks, they tend to forget about their diet. What we put inside our bodies is just as important as what we put on the outside."
The Mediterranean diet, which has a focus on olive oil, has been proven to be healthy, and Dr Michael Mosley, TV doctor, is a big fan. The diet is rich in olive oil, nuts, and oily fish, and he's followed it for years, claiming following the diet for the past decade has "helped me keep weight off and my blood pressure and blood sugar levels within a healthy range."
And when it comes to helping weight loss, Abigal said: "Olive oil helps you lose weight because it is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids. These are known to help with weight loss by increasing your metabolism, reducing your appetite, and reducing your body fat. Studies have revealed a treatment group who were given extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) lost 80% more body fat than the control group who didn't consume EVOO.
"In the long-term, olive oil continues to have positive effects on the body and keep the weight off or stable. If you don’t want to shot it on its own, you can choose to incorporate it into a meal of your choice. For example, drizzle onto an eggs and avocado dish or a lunchtime salad."