Protect Against Heart Disease

If you have heart disease, a family history of heart disease, or any other major risk factor, extra virgin olive oil should be a part of your daily diet.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Heart disease is less common in Mediterranean countries, according to observational studies done a few decades ago. This prompted a lot of study into the Mediterranean diet, which has since been proved to reduce the risk of heart disease dramatically. Extra virgin olive oil is a significant component of this diet, as it protects against heart disease in a variety of ways. It reduces inflammation, prevents "bad" LDL cholesterol from oxidation, improves blood vessel lining, and may help prevent blood clotting. It has also been demonstrated to reduce blood pressure, which is one of the most powerful risk factors for heart disease and death. Olive oil was found to lessen the need for blood pressure medication by 48% in one research. Extra virgin olive oil has been shown to have substantial cardiac benefits in dozens of studies.