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Virgin olive oil helps control bad cholesterol
The very best olive oil brings more than good taste to the table
If you suffer from high cholesterol, you might want to consider using more virgin olive oil on salads and in other ways. The peppery green oil could help reduce your risk of developing harmful blood clots, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Raised cholesterol increases the risk of developing a build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries which may break off and block blood vessels, resulting in heart attack and stroke.
Researchers at Reina Sofia University Hospital in Spain looked at the clot-busting effects of virgin olive oil compared to olive oil that had most of the phenols removed. Phenols are compounds that are believed to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties, all known to benefit cardiovascular health.
For their study, the researchers asked 21 people with high cholesterol to try two different breakfasts. The volunteers were given either white bread with virgin olive oil rich in phenols or bread with an olive oil that had had most of the phenols removed. After one week the groups switched breakfasts.
The team found that two hours after eating the phenol-rich breakfast the volunteers had lower concentrations of a number of blood chemicals (factor VII antigen and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1) that promote unhealthy blood clot formation.
"Our findings provide new evidence of the healthy effects of virgin olive oil," said Dr Francisco Perez-Jimenez and his colleagues.
Olive oil has long been thought to help maintain a healthy heart, but it is only recently that scientists have begun to understand why. This latest research is the clearest evidence yet that phenols in olive oil are responsible for these health benefits. Virgin olive oil contains the highest amount of phenols and some processed olive oils contain hardly any.
"This is exciting research," says dietician Anna Suckling from the British Dietetic Association; "however we should remember that it clearly states the benefits are related to the phenol content, and therefore it is unclear as to whether supermarket bought olive oils would have a high enough phenol content. I would therefore suggest that people strive towards a balanced diet rich in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fats and sugars."
Foods rich in phenols include
- Green tea
- Red wine
- Red grapes
- Dark chocolate
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Information on this site is for interest only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should consult your own doctor about any specific health concerns.