5. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a type of fat that is derived from the fruit of the olive tree, botanically known as Olea europaea, a tree native to the Mediterranean. The oil is extracted by pressing whole olives, and is commonly used in many different things like medicines, cooking, soap, cosmetics, and in the past it was even used as fuel for fire lanterns.
Olive oil provides a wide range of health benefits like reducing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure, promotes healthy digestion, improves memory, supports healthy liver function and even protects the brain from Alzheimer’s disease. Olive oil is made up of many beneficial fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6 and oleic acid, an omega-9 fat. It’s rich in vitamins and minerals like vitamin E, vitamin K, iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Olive oil contains over 20 different healthy phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory properties, like flavones, anthocyanidins, flavonols and secoiridoids, which can help fight inflammation and clear up damage-causing free radicals that collect in the body. It also contains oleocanthal, another polyphenol with antioxidant properties and pain-relieving tendencies. This makes olive oil even more powerful in treating uric acid build-up, as the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants work to remove the uric acid crystals while providing relief from swelling and pain.
To receive these benefits from olive oil, begin using it as a substitute for things like butter and other fats in cooking. You can also simply eat 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil each day to reduce uric acid and prevent further build up.