Notes From a Nutritionist: Investigating Health Benefits

We partnered with Mariel Marin, a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner, to dive into the health benefits of our most commonly used ingredients in the kitchen.

Mariel Marin is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner based in Los Angeles. She helps women who experience digestive discomfort (bloating, acid reflux, cramping, IBS, constipation), while also feeling run down, overworked, tired, and irritable. Sampu Wellness is her practice to help women reconnect to their mind and body through food, lifestyle, and movement. We had the pleasure of asking her some questions about why certain ingredients have more health benefits than others and how she incorporates them into her daily cooking – see her answers below.

What are the health benefits of olive oil?
Contrary to popular belief, consuming diverse, high-quality fats are required for numerous body functions. Pairing fats with different foods, ie. fruits and vegetables, help absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K; fats increase satiation and get you full faster; and fats also provide a longer-lasting, slower burning type of energy. Choosing a high-quality olive oil like Brightland provides a good source of Vitamin E, K, many antioxidants, is rich in monounsaturated fats, and has small amounts of both saturated and polyunsaturated fats.

Why do you like cooking with olive oil?
Olive oil is one of the most stable oils to cook with. it won’t go rancid by the time it hits shelves.

How do you use olive oil?
I use it on everything! Sauteing vegetables or protein, baking, as a salad dressing, and more.

What are the health benefits of vinegar?
As an acid, when paired with fats to create an emulsion, vinaigrettes help to support fat digestion (which can be extra helpful for someone who has difficulties breaking down fat).

Why do you like cooking with vinegar?
It’s an easy ingredient to add for flavor, and instead of buying salad dressing, adding any type of vinegar to olive oil is the best flavor to drizzle on veggies in my opinion!

How do you use vinegar?
For dips, salad dressings, to make bone broth, and for quick pickling.

What are the health benefits of honey?
Honey contains flavonoids which exhibit a wide range of biological activities, including antibacterial, antiviral, anti inflammatory, and anti-histamine properties.

Why do you like cooking with honey?
Honey provides a sweetness that balances bitter flavors, and complements salts, spicy and fatty foods.

How do you use honey?
With tea, on pancakes, in salad dressings, and to help ease dry, sore throats.