Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Heart

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3. Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Heart

Extra virgin olive oil is a healthy fat that contains anti-inflammatory compounds. Drinking it regularly may benefit your heart, bone, and digestive health and help stabilize your blood sugar levels.

Researchers have found that those who ate more than half a tablespoon of olive oil each day had a 15% lower risk of having any kind of cardiovascular disease and a 21% lower risk of coronary heart disease. Consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer mortality, neurodegenerative disease mortality, and respiratory disease mortality.

Nutrients in Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is rich in heart-healthy fats, along with vitamins E and K. A tablespoon (about 14 grams) of olive oil contains the following nutrients:

Extra virgin olive oil is a great source of antioxidants. The main antioxidants include the anti-inflammatory oleocanthal, as well as oleuropein, a substance that protects LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidation.

How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Protects Against Heart Disease?

Summary

Not only is extra virgin olive oil loaded with heart-healthy fats, but it's also a great source of antioxidant compounds, like vitamin E, oleoresin, and oleocanthal. It has been associated with a wide range of powerful health benefits and may help prevent heart disease, promote brain function, and protect against certain types of cancer.