Olive oil is a versatile fat that's created through crushing,
milling, and pitting olives to obtain their oil.
This nutritious oil is rich in protective compounds that
positively impact health in several ways, including protecting against heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
It’s an important component of the Mediterranean diet, which is considered one of
the healthiest eating patterns in the world.
Here’s everything you need to know about olive oil,
including its nutrition, possible health benefits, and how to add it to your
diet.
👉👉Sip a teaspoon each morning to diminish belly fat
quickly👈👈
Promotes Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.
Diet and lifestyle choices can help lower your risk of heart disease by promoting healthy
blood lipid levels, blood pressure, improving blood vessel
function, and preventing atherosclerosis.1
Atherosclerosis is the medical term for the thickening or
hardening of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque. Plaque is formed
slowly over time as fats, blood cells, cholesterol, and other substances build up in your
arteries, restricting blood flow. Atherosclerosis is the main cause of heart
disease.2
Diets rich in olive oil, such as the eating patterns of
people living along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, have been shown to
protect against heart disease risk factors like atherosclerosis.
Olive oil contains compounds, including phenolic
antioxidants, that decrease the production of inflammatory molecules that
promote atherosclerosis. For example, oleuropein is a phenolic compound found
in olive oil that helps reduce inflammation and inhibits the expression of
adhesion molecules, which play key roles in the development and progression of
atherosclerosis.3
Studies show that diets rich in olive oil may help reduce
the progression of atherosclerosis. A 2021 study that included 939 people with heart
disease found that the participants who followed an olive oil-rich
Mediterranean diet for seven years had decreased atherosclerosis progression,
as measured by the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery
(IMT-CC) and plaque height in the carotid artery, compared to those who
followed a low-fat diet.4
Additionally, regularly consuming olive oil may help
reduce LDL cholesterol, increase levels of
heart-protective HDL cholesterol, and reduce blood pressure, all of which may
help prevent heart disease.
A 2021 study that included data on 92,978 Americans found
that those who more than a ½ tablespoon serving of olive oil per day had a 14%
lower risk of heart disease compared to people who didn’t consume olive oil.5
High in Anti-inflammatory and Antioxidant Compounds
One of the main reasons why olive oil
consumption is associated with reduced disease risk is because it’s
concentrated in compounds that help reduce inflammation and protect against
cellular damage.
Olive oil contains more than 200 plant
compounds, including carotenoids, sterols, and polyphenols like hydroxytyrosol
(HT) and hydroxytyrosol acetate (HT-ac), which act as powerful antioxidants in the body.6
These compounds inhibit inflammatory pathways
in the body and may help reduce markers of inflammation, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and
interleukin-6 (IL-6).
A 2015 review of 30 studies that included
3,106 participants found that supplementation with olive oil in doses ranging
from 1 milligrams (mg) to 50 mg per day led to significant reductions in CRP
and IL-6 compared to control treatments.7
Because olive oil is so high in
anti-inflammatory substances, it may benefit those with inflammatory diseases
like rheumatoid arthritis (RA). A 2023 study
that included 365 people living with RA found that higher consumption of olive
oil was associated with a significant favorable effect on RA disease activity
and lower levels of inflammatory markers like CRP.8
👉👉Sip a teaspoon each morning to diminish belly fatquickly👈👈
May Help Reduce the Risk of Common Health Conditions
Including more olive oil in your diet may
help lower your risk of common diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, and may help
you live a longer, healthier life.
A 2017 review of four cohort studies and 29
randomized control trials found that people in the highest olive oil intake
category had a 16% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared
to people in the lowest intake category. Additionally, the review found that
olive oil supplementation improved markers of long-term blood sugar control and
fasting blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes compared with control
groups, meaning that olive oil can be effective for preventing type 2 diabetes
and improving health outcomes in people with existing diabetes.9
Similarly, 2022 review found that each
additional 25-gram serving per day of olive oil was associated with a
significant 22% reduction in the risk of type 2 diabetes. The review also found
that olive oil consumption lowered the risk of death from all causes.10
Additionally, a 2022 study that included data
on 92,383 Americans found that the participants who consumed the most olive oil
had a 17% lower risk of cancer-related mortality, a 29% lower risk of neurodegenerative
disease-related mortality, and an 18% lower risk of respiratory disease-related
mortality.
The researchers concluded that replacing ten
grams per day of fats like butter, mayonnaise, and margarine with the same
amount of olive oil was associated with an 8%-34% lower risk of death from all
causes.11
A Quick Review
Olive oil is considered one of the healthiest
oils you can eat. This heart-healthy fat is packed with protective plant
compounds that may help reduce inflammation and protect against cellular
damage.
Diets high in olive oil have been linked to a
number of health benefits, including lowering the risk of common health
conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Plus, olive oil is
versatile and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.
Consider stocking your kitchen with this
multipurpose fat for an easy way to better your health.
👉👉Sip a teaspoon each morning to diminish belly fatquickly👈👈