Olive oil and lemon juice
Many cuisines use olive oil and lemon juice, particularly in the Mediterranean and Levant regions.
People claim that olive oil and lemon juice can be combined to treat many conditions such as gallstones and joint pain.
Studies have also separately examined the health benefits of vitamins found in lemon juice and olive oil.
We’ll be discussing whether research supports the claims of the olive oil-lemon juice combination. We will also discuss the potential negatives and benefits of each ingredient individually.
Olive oil benefits
Olive oil can be extracted by pressing the oil out of the ripe fruit using various methods such as pressure and centrifuge. Extra-virgin olive oils (EVOO) are of the best quality.
EVOO contains approximately 73% oleic acids, a monounsaturated fatty oil (MUFA) that is heart-healthy. It’s also a good source of vitamins E and K.
Another appealing feature of olive oil is its high content of natural compounds, polyphenols. These powerful antioxidants protect you from oxidative damage by removing harmful compounds known as free radicals in the body.
SUMMARY
The oil extracted from the olive fruit is used to make olive oil. The oil contains many nutrients such as MUFAs, polyphenols, and vitamins E and K.
Lemon juice benefits
Lemon juice is the name for the sour liquid made from lemons. Lemon, a citrus fruit from the Mediterranean, is part of the Rutaceae plant family.
Lemon juice is rich in antioxidants, particularly vitamin C. Flavonoids are also present, which have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
SUMMARY
Lemon juice is a sour liquid made from lemons. It is high in antioxidants and flavonoids, such as vitamin C.
Claims regarding the combination
People claim that lemon juice and olive oil can be combined to improve their health. They are said to be used for detoxes and cleanses, to prevent and treat gallstones, and to promote weight reduction.
Let’s take a look at each claim individually.
Cleanse and detox claims
You can find many recipes that claim to cleanse and detox with lemon juice or olive oil through a quick internet search.
Detoxes and cleanses are supposed to flush out toxins and waste built up over time.
Few studies show that lemon juice or olive oil can cleanse or detoxify.
In 2018, a review of 27 studies examined the health benefits of olive oil over other oils.
Researchers found that people who consumed olive oil during the study period had lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels than those who ate other oils.
Our search for high-quality research has not found any studies that olive oil can relieve digestive problems.
The antioxidants and polyphenols found in olive oil or lemon juice can be described as “cleansing” because they neutralize harmful free radicals that could otherwise damage cells and cause illness.
There are many biological ways that the human body can remove toxins and keep its optimal functioning.
For optimal body function, I recommend eating varied foods that include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, nuts, seeds, lean protein sources, and legumes.
Weight loss claims
Research has shown that certain components of olive oil and lemon juice — vitamin C in olive juice and MUFAs (in olive oil) — can play a role in weight management.
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C. One 3-ounce (100-grams) serving of lemon juice contains 38.7mg, 43% and 52% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA).
Vitamin C is an essential component of the human body that makes carnitine.
Carnitine is a compound which transports fat molecules to the cells. They are then broken down and used for energy. Insufficient vitamin C intake can lead to reduced fat breakdown.
A 2006 study found that healthy people with low levels of vitamin C burned 25% more fat while walking for 60 minutes on a treadmill than those with adequate vitamin C.
Another study found that obese mice were fed vitamin C (vitamin A) for 15 weeks. The mice had a lower body fat percentage and other indicators of better health than mice who were given high-fat diets but not vitamin C.
Studies have not shown that consuming olive oil and lemon juice together has any weight-related effects. The individual components might still be effective when combined.
Noting that there are newer studies on humans is also important.
