Tips for Using Olive Oil to Treat Constipation
Besides beneficial for skin and hair health, it turns out olive oil can relieve constipation. Constipation or constipation will usually be overcome by taking laxatives sold on the market. But, did you know that regularly consuming olive oil can also relieve your constipation? Consider the following explanation.
Is it true that olive oil can relieve constipation?
A study conducted by scientists from Spain in 2006 found that of 314 people with constipation aged 55 years and over, 97% of people were given olive oil intake, and 2.7% were only given ordinary laxatives. How's the result? Study participants who consumed olive oil regularly experienced a smooth bowel movement than those who only relied on laxatives.
How can olive oil improve bowel movements?
- Olive oil acts as a laxative which lubricates the intestine to make it easier for digestible food to move through the large intestine.
- Unsaturated fats in olive oil will strengthen the weakened mucous layer of the large intestine, and increase the speed of the intestine to process food immediately, preventing constipation.
- Olive oil which is rich in vitamins E and K, antioxidants, omega 3, and fatty acids, stimulates the contraction of the large intestine to make fecal matter more easily removed. In addition, a beneficial ingredient in olive oil can also improve the health of the digestive tract.
- The fat content in olive oil functions to encourage the gallbladder to release digestive enzymes to quickly digest food that enters.
- Olive oil inhibits the effects of oxidative stress which affect the production of bile in the liver.
- Olive oil is also stable in an acidic (digestive) environment caused by the helicobacter pylori bacteria. These bacteria can trigger cancer and boils in the lining of the abdominal wall and constipation is one of the symptoms.
How do you use olive oil to relieve constipation?
1. Directly swallow the raw olive oil
Take 1 tablespoon of olive oil every morning, when your stomach is still empty. Do it also at night before going to sleep. Follow this method every day for several weeks until it starts to feel smooth defecation.
2. Combine olive oil with drinks daily
If you don't like it or it's hard to swallow one tablespoon of olive oil directly, you can combine it with other healthy drinks like the following examples:
- Milk and olive oil. The combination of warm milk and olive oil can help soften hard stool feces. Olive oil and milk also function to provide moisture to the intestine so that it does not hurt when the process of straining.
- Coffee and olive oil. Add two tablespoons of olive oil in your cup of warm coffee in the morning. Coffee and olive content will act as a natural laxative for constipation. With this, coffee is also one of the natural ingredients for the process of colon cleansing.
- Fruit and vegetables are juiced. You can make smoothies from fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber, don't forget to add 2 tablespoons of olive oil in each glass. Fiber from vegetables and fruits will stimulate the intensity of the big water to be more organized and smooth.
