Without a doubt, fat gets a bad rap in the health world. Just look at any magazine in the check-out line of a grocery store and you’ll see several catchy phrases suggesting ways to “burn the fat,” “melt the fat” or “shed the fat.” Because fat seems to be viewed as bad and often portrayed quite negatively by the media, many of us tend to avoid eating it so that we don’t become it. But, as it turns out, some fat is very good for us for not only weight management, but for the health of our heart too.
In fact, research suggests that a little extra fat, in the form of olive oil, might be good for our blood vessels and may have a heart healing effect.
New Study
In a new US-Italian study, people with atherosclerosis showed significant improvement in endothelial function (the lining of the blood vessels) when given about 2 tablespoons daily of olive oil.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the Dipartimento di Scienze Farmaceutiche in Florence said this was the first such finding of its kind, concluding,
“The current study demonstrates that longer-term supplementation of olive oil improves endothelial function in individuals with low to intermediate cardiovascular risk, an effect likely attributed to reduction in vascular inflammation.”
The 4-month study was completed by 52 participants. Those with the poorest endothelial function at the start of the study showed the greatest apparent benefit from the olive oil.
Reference: European Journal of Nutrition
