Extra virgin olive oil against cardiovascular disease

May 12 2024, by Apostolos Magkoulias, 1 min reading time

Extra virgin olive oil against cardiovascular disease

Extra virgin olive oil against cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular diseases (heart disease and stroke) are the most common causes of death in the world. Many observational studies show that death from these diseases is low in certain areas of the world, especially the countries around the Mediterranean Sea.

This observation originally spurred interest in the Mediterranean Diet, which is supposed to mimic the way the people in those countries eat. Studies on the Mediterranean Diet show that it can help prevent heart disease. In one major study, it reduced heart attacks, strokes and death by 30%.

Extra virgin olive oil protects against heart disease via numerous mechanisms:

• Reduced Inflammation: As mentioned above, olive oil protects against inflammation, a key driver of heart disease.
• LDL Cholesterol: Olive oil protects LDL particles from oxidative damage – a key step in the heart disease process.
• Improves Endothelial Function: Olive oil improves the function of the endothelium, which is the lining of the blood vessels.
• Blood Clotting: Some studies suggest that olive oil can help prevent unwanted blood clotting, key features of heart attacks and strokes.
• Lower Blood Pressure: One study in patients with elevated blood pressure found that olive oil reduced blood pressure significantly and cut the need for blood pressure meds by 48%.

Given the known biological effects of olive oil, it is not surprising to see that people who consume the most of it are significantly less likely to die from heart attacks and strokes. This really is just the tip of the iceberg. Dozens (if not hundreds) of studies in both animals and humans have shown that olive oil has major benefits for the heart.

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email