Daily Intake Of Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil May Protect Against Cardiovascular Disease

A European research team has found evidence that daily intake of olive oil could reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to the researchers, the polyphenols in olive oil increase the levels of oxidized LDL autoantibodies (OLAB), which minimize the harmful effects of so-called “bad cholesterol” and lower the chances of atherosclerosis and heart disease. The study involved 200 men randomly chosen to consume different levels of olive oil each day over three weeks. They found that higher levels of olive oil intake resulted in increased OLAB levels and lower LDL cholesterol. The “direct protective role of OLAB” warrants the use of olive oil, which is rich in phenolic compounds such as oleuropein and cafeic acid, as a dietary fat, the researchers concluded.