According to science, olive oil can lower blood sugar levels in just one week
According to scientific studies, regular consumption of olive oil could lower blood sugar levels due to a specific compound that it contains in abundance.
Managing blood sugar levels is essential for preventing and controlling type 2 diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Recent research has highlighted the benefits of consuming olive oil and ripe olives in lowering blood sugar levels. This beneficial effect is attributed to a particular compound: elenolic acid.
This compound, found naturally in olives and olive oil, plays a crucial role in the regulation of blood sugar by inducing the release of two important hormones in the intestine. These hormones act in synergy to improve blood sugar management and promote a feeling of satiety.
Elenolic acid, an ally for weight loss
As reported by Le Journal des Femmes, the benefits of this molecule were demonstrated in a study conducted on obese and diabetic mice by researchers at VirginiaTech University in the United States.
Mice that received various doses of this compound lost weight and managed to better control their blood sugar “after just one week,” the research report reveals. Scientists concluded that the effect of elenolic acid in lowering blood sugar could be comparable to that of injectable diabetes drugs.
“Available obesity medications are ineffective in maintaining weight loss, expensive, and/or pose potential long-term safety risks. Our goal is to develop safer, cheaper, and more practical multi-targeted agents capable of preventing the onset of metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes,” said Professor Dongmin Liu, research team leader from the Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Exercise at Virginia Tech.
Olives: a solution for blood sugar regulation?
Elenolic acid is known to be naturally present in ripe olives and extra virgin olive oil, but in insufficient quantities to rely solely on them to regulate blood sugar. You would need to consume large quantities to achieve the desired effect. However, these foods can contribute to improved blood sugar levels, among other important health benefits.
Extra virgin olive oil can be used as a dressing for salads and vegetables, or in cooking, replacing saturated fats like butter with olive oil during cooking. You can also add ripe olives to your snacks to take advantage of their benefits between meals. Add ripe olives to your salads, pasta dishes, and casseroles for a tasty and healthy addition.