When you’re eating vegetables or a salad, you’re likely not inclined to drench your dish in oil—smart inclination, you nutrition guru, you!—but taking full advantage of the recommended two tablespoons a day might benefit your health.
In a small study, 12 college-aged women ate salads with different amounts of soybean oil, which is commonly found in salad dressings. After subsequent blood tests, researchers found the maximum nutrient absorption occurred at 32 grams of consumed oil—AKA around two tablespoons.
By eating their salads with the added fat, participants were able to absorb eight micronutrients important for human health, including vitamins E, K, and A, which are linked to cancer prevention and improved vision. Alternatively, when the women didn’t use oil and instead ate plain salad, their nutrient-absorption rates suffered—meaning a little oil is certainly better than none at all.
By eating their salads with the added fat, they were able to absorb eight micronutrients important for human health, including vitamins E, K, and A, which are linked to cancer prevention and improved vision.
Another interesting finding is that the more oil they used, the more nutrient-rich the results. “Adding twice the amount of salad dressing leads to twice the nutrient absorption,” said lead study author Wendy White in a press release.
So don’t be afraid of healthy fats. Sprinkle some on your veggies before cooking them and toss some into your greens. Just think of it as a spoonful of body-boosting medicine you’ll actually want to take.
Could olive oil help with cystic acne? Here’s what Chloë Grace Moretz has to say. And if you want to try something new, give coconut oil a chance.
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