Health
Olive oil is known as one of the best sources of monounsaturated fatty acids, a type of fat that has been shown to improve blood cholesterol levels. It was thought that olive oil’s protective qualities were due mainly to the presence of this type of fat. However, new research shows that its antioxidant content is equally important.
According to new data published in Clinical Nutrition, daily doses of extra virgin olive oil may protect from atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).
The results came from the EurOlive Study, which involved researchers from universities in five European countries, and was aimed at assessing the beneficial effects of olive oil on human health.
See Also:Health NewsThe researchers recruited 200 healthy men and randomly assigned them to one of three groups to consume 25 ml of olive oil every day with different polyphenols levels.
The olive oils that were administered included refined olive oil, which had a low polyphenol content; common olive oil with medium polyphenol content and extra virgin, which had high phenolic levels.
The results showed that the consumption of extra virgin olive oil increased the antibody levels that reduce oxidized LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol considered a risk factor of artery hardening and heart disease).
This was not the first time that olive oil polyphenols have been found to have a protective effect against oxidative damage; previous studies have also shown a positive effect. However, there were questions about whether real-life doses of olive oil can achieve this effect.
In this study the researchers had the subjects consume about 2 tablespoons of olive oil a day, a reasonable amount for non-Mediterranean countries.
Greeks who have the highest intake of olive oil per person in the world consume about 70 ml per day, while Spaniards and Italians include about 35 ml daily. The average American consumes less than three milliliters per day.
The other issue is the polyphenol content. Studies have shown that extra virgin olive oil has more polyphenols than other olive oils that are processed.
Storage conditions also play an important role. Oil that is stored in a dark, cool spot in a dark container retains more of its antioxidants. Long storage times reduce the antioxidant content as well; the longer olive oil sits in a bottle unused, the more polyphenols it loses.
More articles on: cardiovascular disease, heart disease, Mediterranean diet
Jan. 15, 2024
Chickens Fed Olive Oil Are More Resilient to Environmental Stressors, Study Finds
Separate research has also found that olive oil consumption improves the health of chicken meat and eggs for human consumption.
Oct. 31, 2023
Med Diet Alleviates PTSD Symptoms, Study Suggests
While researchers said more work needs to be done, they believe they are closer to being able to provide dietary recommendations for individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder.
Nov. 1, 2023
Study Shows Benefits of EVOO Supplementation in Male Athletes
Olive oil supplementation increases testosterone levels while reducing stress hormones in male athletes.
May. 16, 2024
Daily Olive Oil Consumption Linked to Lower Dementia Death Risk, Study Finds
Harvard researchers found that daily consumption of at least seven grams of olive oil was associated with a 28 percent lower risk of dementia-related death.
May. 7, 2024
Mediterranean Diet and Exercise Associated with Better Gut Health in Older Adults
The study demonstrated these improvements to gut health yielded significant cardiovascular health benefits in older Mediterranean adults.
Nov. 27, 2023
Med Diet During Pregnancy Improves Infant Neurological Development
Two-year-olds born to mothers who followed the Mediterranean diet or stress reduction during pregnancy exhibited better scores in cognitive and social-emotional domains.
Jul. 23, 2024
Why Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is Linked with Lower Dementia Risk, Better Brain Health
Research demonstrates that the polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids in extra virgin olive oil are associated with a lower risk of dementia and mitigation of its symptoms.
Jul. 15, 2024
Med Diet Adherence Associated with Lower Mortality Risk for Cancer Survivors
Researchers followed 800 cancer survivors for more than a decade, observing that Mediterranean diet adherence could be associated with a lower all-cause mortality.