News
- Aug 22, 2011
California Leads U.S. in Olive Oil Production - Jun 15, 2011
We Olive Launches Facebook Recipe Contest - Jun 2, 2011
Striking Oil - Apr 15, 2011
Evaluation of Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Sold in California - Apr 7, 2011
We Olive La Jolla's Grand Opening Weekend - April 9th & 10th - Jan 27, 2011
We Olive Pours Some Love on The American Heart Association - Nov 10, 2010
Olio Nuevo Has Arrived - Oct 21, 2010
New USDA olive oil standards support what local producers already do Local producers say their own regulations are tougher - Oct 5, 2010
Pasolivo Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Rules for Ezxtra Virgins, Or why we love stores like We Olive - Aug 6, 2010
Add a Little Olive Oil and Help Fight Breast Cancer Naturally
Heart Health Benefits of EVOO
Question
Olive oil: What are the health benefits?
What are the health benefits of olive oil? Is extra-virgin oil better than regular olive oil?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
When choosing fats, olive oil is a healthy choice. Olive oil contains monounsaturated fat, a healthier type of fat that can lower your risk of heart disease by reducing the total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol levels in your blood.
In contrast, saturated and trans fats — such as butter, animal fats, tropical oils and partially hydrogenated oils — increase your risk of heart disease by increasing your total and LDL cholesterol levels.
According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), consuming about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil a day may reduce your risk of heart disease. You can get the most benefit by substituting olive oil for saturated fats rather than just adding more olive oil to your diet.
All types of olive oil contain monounsaturated fat, but "extra-virgin" or "virgin" olive oils are the least processed forms, so they're the most heart healthy. Those types contain the highest levels of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant that also can promote heart health.
