An-Najah News - An Najah News- A study has shown that eating only half a teaspoon of olive oil per day can reduce the risk of heart attack by a fifth.

Researchers at Harvard University, between 1990 and 2014, studied the health of around 100,000 people over 24 years and found that the consumption of olive oil was good for heart health.

Most experts agree that olive oil, especially the excellent variety, is good for the human body because it contains a fatty acid called “oleic acid”, which reduces inflammation.

“Previous studies have linked better consumption of olive oil and better cardiovascular health, especially in Mediterranean countries where consumption of olive oil is much higher than in the United States,” said Dr. Marta Gouache Ferry, lead author of the study. “If the consumption of olive oil is beneficial for the heart health of the American population.”

Researchers also used statistical models to compare the health benefits of olive oil, for cardiovascular health, with other combined vegetable oils, such as corn and soy.

After calculating diet and lifestyle factors, the researchers found that those who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 15% lower risk of developing any type cardiovascular disease, with a 21% lower risk of coronary artery disease, a condition that occurs when the oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked.

“Although olive oil is better than most animal fats and margarine, it was no better than vegetable oil in the community studied. This means that replacing any type of animal fat with vegetable oil, including olive oil,” said Dr. Gwash Ferry, “Could be a good strategy for improving cardiovascular health.”

It should be noted that the high consumption of olive oil did not show any effect on the risk of stroke.