In a new study, a group of scientists wanted to find out if consuming olive pomace oil (OPO) had any effect on heart health.
To do this, they conducted a study with two groups of people: healthy individuals and those who were at risk of heart disease due to high cholesterol levels.
In the study, each person was assigned to consume either 45 grams of OPO or high-oleic acid sunflower oil (HOSO) daily for four weeks.
The participants were unaware of which oil they were consuming.
The researchers monitored their blood lipids (primary outcome) and other cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors, including blood pressure, inflammation, and endothelial function (secondary outcomes).
After four weeks, the results were in, and they showed that consuming OPO had a positive effect on the participants’ heart health.
Specifically, OPO strongly reduced the levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and apolipoprotein B (Apo B), which are both known to contribute to heart disease.
This reduction was not observed in the group that consumed HOSO.
Furthermore, the study found that OPO also reduced the LDL/HDL ratio, which is a measure of the ratio of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) to “good” cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
A high LDL/HDL ratio is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
The study did not find any strong effects on blood pressure, peripheral artery tonometry (PAT), endothelial function, or inflammation biomarkers.
But the researchers concluded that regular consumption of OPO in the diet could have hypolipidemic (cholesterol-lowering) actions in people at cardiovascular risk as well as in healthy consumers, contributing to the prevention of heart disease.
In conclusion, the study suggests that incorporating OPO into your diet can have a positive impact on heart health.
It’s important to note that the study was conducted on a small group of participants, so further research is needed to confirm these findings.
What to eat to protect your heart
Eating a healthy diet is one of the most important things you can do to protect your heart health. Here are some foods and dietary patterns that are known to be beneficial for heart health:
Mediterranean diet: The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet that emphasizes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, and healthy fats such as olive oil. It is also low in red meat and processed foods.
Fish: Fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce inflammation and lower the risk of heart disease.
Nuts: Eating nuts, such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios, can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Fruits and vegetables: Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables can help to provide your body with antioxidants, fiber, and other nutrients that are important for heart health.
Whole grains: Eating whole grains, such as brown rice, quinoa, and whole-wheat bread, can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Legumes: Eating legumes, such as beans, lentils, and chickpeas, can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Low-fat dairy: Consuming low-fat dairy products, such as skim milk and low-fat yogurt, can help to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Olive oil: Using olive oil instead of butter or other types of oils can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
In addition to eating a healthy diet, it’s important to engage in regular physical activity, avoid smoking, and manage stress to maintain good heart health.
The research was published in the European Journal of Nutrition and was conducted by Susana González-Rámila et al.
If you care about heart health, please read studies that yogurt may help lower the death risks of heart disease, and coconut sugar could help reduce artery stiffness.
For more information about health, please see recent studies that Vitamin D deficiency can increase heart disease risk, and results showing vitamin B6 linked to lower death risk in heart disease.
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