Olive Oil Tops Gut Healthy Shopping List

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Why Include The Best Olive Oil In Your Shopping Essentials

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Extra virgin olive oil is an essential shopping purchase for many reasons. For one, it is a flexible cooking oil that can be used for a variety of dishes. It can be used for sautéing, frying, or simply as a dressing for salads and cooked vegetables. In addition, extra virgin olive oil has a number of health benefits.

It is a good source of monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect against some forms of cancer. As a result, extra virgin olive oil is an important part of a healthy diet. Finally, extra virgin olive oil is relatively affordable, making it a great value for the money. For all these reasons, we were not surprised to see extra virgin olive oil top a great new list of five essential ‘gut healthy ingredients to add to your shopping list.’ from Mindbodygreen.com.  So what was on the full list?

1. Olive oil

Cooking oil is essential, but with so many options lining the shelves, which should you buy? The answer is simple: extra-virgin olive oil. Functional medicine practitioner and NYT bestselling author Will Cole, D.C. said; “Olive oil is packed with heart-healthy polyphenols and fatty acids, which also help to promote good bacteria in your gut,” Cole wrote. “Fatty acids and polyphenols aren’t just limited to olive oil; other foods like almonds and flaxseeds are rich in both of these nutrients.”

2. Leafy greens

Surprise! It’s no secret that veggies are great for your body on the whole, but leafy greens are particularly beneficial for supporting your gut health when consumed regularly. “Everyone needs to include leafy greens in their diet,” gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., MSCI, author of The Fiber-Fueled Cookbook, previously stated. “They have almost no calories and are so jam-packed with nutrition…how can we talk about nutrition and not include leafy greens in some capacity?” In particular, consider adding cruciferous veggies to your shopping list as they’re full of fiber and powerhouse antioxidant phytonutrient sulforaphane glucosinolate, which supports the digestive tract and your gut microbiome.

Add Olive Oil To Your Shopping List
Add Olive Oil To Your Shopping List

3. Full-fat yogurt

Low-sugar and low-fat yogurt have had their moment, but it’s really full-fat yogurt that can provide the most benefit to your gut. “A lot of people are like, ‘If I’m trying to lose fat, I don’t wanna eat fat,’ but actually, the fat can help keep you fuller for longer,” gut health expert Megan Rossi, Ph.D., R.D. (aka The Gut Health Doctor on Instagram), author of How To Eat More Plants, once told mbg. “Also, the fat protects the live microbes that are within the yogurt, and those microbes can help regulate the gut-metabolism axis.”

4. Quinoa

Every good shopping list should include whole grains, and quinoa is a strong choice for keeping your gut in check. “It’s got plant-based protein in it as well, which is good for the [gut] microbes,” Rossi notes. Quinoa also stands out as it contains fiber—a carbohydrate that helps to not only keep you full for longer but also balance your blood sugar so your energy levels, cardiometabolic health, and gut health are at their best.

5. Ginger

As for spices and seasonings, ginger is well known for its soothing properties that can have a positive impact on your gut. “Ginger is not just a flavorful addition to your meal; it’s been used for thousands of years as a tool for soothing the stomach due to its calming herbal bioactive properties,” functional medicine practitioner and NYT bestselling author Will Cole, D.C., previously wrote for mbg. “In fact, studies have shown ginger’s actions in the body to promote a healthy inflammatory response after just one month of consistent use.”

6. Bonus: A greens powder

Although not available at the grocery store, if you’re really looking to prioritize gut health and give your body an extra kick of nutrients, there’s no ingredient better for the job than a greens powder. Namely, mbg’s organic veggies+.

Packed with 31 unique ingredients from organic sea vegetables to leafy greens, and even a range of botanical herbs like ginger and turmeric, this greens powder packs a punch. Just 1 tablespoon provides your body with an array of plants and bioactives that you would likely never be able to squeeze into an ordinary day. But on the note of gut health, organic veggies+ also feature prebiotic fibers, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, which aid in digestion support and help limit bloating.*

If you’re looking for a healthy cooking oil that has some amazing health benefits, extra virgin olive oil should be at the top of your list. It’s an affordable addition to your grocery budget and it can be used in a variety of recipes. Not only does this oil have anti-inflammatory properties, but it also helps reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. So, what are you waiting for? Add the best extra virgin olive oil to your shopping list essentials today!

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