Olive Oil Consumption Might Reduce the Risk of Obesity
Olive oil is a central component of the Mediterranean diet, which is linked to a reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Spanish researchers found that eating more olive oil might also reduce the risk of obesity. They examined body composition and nutrition in 613 people. They estimated olive oil consumption by measuring concentrations of specific fatty acids in the blood.
People who consumed the least amount of olive oil in their diets were 2.3 times more likely to be obese than those who consumed the most olive oil. The researchers concluded that the type of fatty acids consumed in the diet influences the risk of obesity. (European Journal Clinical Nutrition, 63: 1371-1374, 2009)
