A recent article for Medical Daily dug deeper into the health benefits associated with olive oil, noting that various studies have found that the product is beneficial for our heart health in particular.
The main reason being that olive oil contains monounsaturated fatty acids, also known as MUFAs. These are the healthy kind of fats, rather than trans fats which are associated with a range of health problems.
The main advantage to MUFAs is that they reduce our LDL cholesterol levels, the website explained. This lowers your risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation and dying of heart disease.
Katherine Zeratsky, a registered dietician with the Mayo Clinic, said that other benefits have also been identified. “Some research shows that MUFAs may benefit insulin levels and blood sugar control, which can be helpful if you have or are at risk of type 2 diabetes,” she explained.
Extra virgin olive oil can be especially beneficial because of its high antioxidant levels. However, the news provider cautioned that it’s also got a high calorie count, so you need to balance your consumption and only use it in small amounts.
The Huffington Post recently pointed out that it’s worth spending a bit more money if you’re buying extra virgin olive oil, to make sure you’re getting a product of the highest quality.