We have heard a lot about the benefits of olive oil, but the research reviewed here is interesting because it measured endothelium function after using olive oil for 4 months. The endothelium is the lining inside the blood vessels.
The participants in the study were patients with early atherosclerosis which means they had started to develop deposits in the artery walls.
The results showed no difference after 4 months between the regular olive oil and the supplemented oil, but the regular olive oil improved endothelium function significantly and there was also a significant reduction in inflammatory markers.
This indicates that inflammation affects endothelial function. Just a little bit of olive oil as salad dressing every day can make a significant difference.
Widmer RJ, Freund MA, Flammer AJ, Sexton J, Lennon R, Romani A, Mulinacci N, Vinceri FF, Lerman LO, Lerman A. Beneficial effects of polyphenol-rich olive oil in patients with early atherosclerosis. Eur J Nutr. 2013 Apr;52(3):1223-31. doi: 10.1007/s00394-012-0433-2. Epub 2012 Aug 8.
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