Olive oil is loaded with monounsaturated fatty acids, and these acids can have positive effects on your heart health.
For starters olive oil lowers cholesterol. It contains good fatty acids that actually can lower your LDL cholesterol level. LDL…as I’m sure your doctor has told you…is the BAD cholesterol.
Olive oil also can reduce the risk of buildup of cholesterol in the arteries. The disease associated with this buildup is called atherosclerosis. It begins as scratches on the inside of your arteries. It is like taking a piece of sandpaper and scratching the inside of a plastic pipe leaving a rough surface…this surface is a good place for cholesterol to attach itself and to build up, causing your heart to overwork itself and leading to heart disease or a heart attack. This scratching can be caused by a chemical change in the LDL cholesterol, Olive oil helps keep this chemical change from happening. It actually helps reduce the chances of scratches occurring, lowering your chance of heart disease. Even people with low or normal cholesterol levels who develop heart disease or have a heart attack may oxidize LDL differently than other people. One theory suggests that certain compounds in olive oil that are not part of the fat itself may also work as antioxidants, proving their use another way other than lowering cholesterol.
The olive is plant that is mentioned time and again in historic literature. Going back to Roman times when it was a staple in the diet. It has been called the perfect food and has long been suggested to play a part in the low incidence of heart disease in the Mediterranean Coastal countries which are it’s native home.
Olive Oil is high in Vitamin E as well. This strengthens the bodies immunity and helps fight disease. As with anything you must be careful not to overdo it’s use. Olive Oil is high in fat so make sure you are watching the other fats in your diet so as not to cancel out it’s beneficial properties. Certain studies have shown a higher incidence of breast cancers in women who consumed high amounts of the oil with it’s monounsaturated fat along with high amounts of saturated fats in their diet. As with anything try to retain a balance.
Olive Oil is a wonderful addition to any meal. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, which comes from the first pressing of the olives is considered the finest. Lesser grades are superfine, semi fine, and pure. There is a light Olive Oil that is very mild tasting, good for recipes where a strong Olive Oil taste isn’t wanted. Serve with pasta, bread, grains, vegetables, all manners of meats and seafood. It is also excellent in salad dressings.
Nutritional Information
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil Contains:
- Calories 119
- Fat 13.5 g
- Saturated 1.8 g
- Monounsaturated 10.0g
- Polyunsaturated 1.2g
- Calories from fat 119
- Cholesterol 0
- Sodium 0
- Protein 0
- Carbohydrate 0
- Dietary Fiber 0
Nutrients:
