Is Olive Oil Really Good for Your Heart?
Posted by Vicki | Under Food WarningsOlive Oil is thought to be one of the most healthy oils, but while that may be true, it is still harmful to have too much of the wrong types of fats (e.g., oils) in our diet. The right balance of fat and the right types of fat are essential to optimum health.
This video reveals that what you don’t know can hurt you, especially if you act on what you think is true when it may not be entirely so. There is actually a correlation to health indicators after consumption of fats, both olive oil and fast foods.
Always maintain a healthy portion of your diet in fruits and vegetables, and cut back on oils! And when you do buy Olive Oil, or any oil, it is best to buy only ‘first cold pressed’. The importance of eating nuts and seeds for health, rather than oils can’t be overstated. For more on the effects of fats in our diet and getting the right types of fat, read the posts here in Inflammation and on Essential Fatty Acids.
All oils are edible fats. But not all fats are equal. Consumption of oils high in oleic fatty acids like extra virgin olive oil are good for your health. Amongst the “trainer set”, all oils are considered the same, but nothing can be further from the truth. Trans fats and saturated fats are detrimental to your health and mono and polyunsaturated fats are heart healthy. Simple. In fact all countries with high mono fat consumption have low levels of heart disease.
The point of this post was just to get people to think. Yes all oils are edible fats, and no they are not equal. But if you listened to the video, it didn’t state that the mono and polyunsaturated fats were bad, but that in fact that they are much better for you. But the point was that we normally consume TOO much fat, protein and carbs for our general health, and in that sense it is not good for your heart.
If we balance to favor fresh vegetables and fruits, nuts and grain as our predominant intake and simply limit fats our hearts will thank us. I use first cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil as a rule, but might think twice about dipping my bread in it every night for dinner (which is really yummy!) but rather be a bit more judicious overall!
As the article suggest, it’s all about maintaining a healthy balance.
Olive oil is very high in calories, so it’s not too good if you are on a calorie controlled diet.
As Fay stated, the point of the article is to get people to think about their choices. The media has been touting balance for decades. As one whose business is food focused, we encourage our readers to use natural, healthier ingredients. Sadly we are a nation focused on volume rather than taste.Until the pendulum swings back the balance will not fall into place!
You are right Fay, it is all about balance. I love Olive oil myself, and it is my first choice for cooking or eating on anything (and love dipping fresh bread in it but now I will think about how much of that I do, not 2 or 3 nights a week anymore!). It is food for thought!
Thanks Elaine, you are so right! We need to make choices that will let that pendulum swing back into balance from than the wild swings. Sugar cravings are a prime example of how our bodies get into an addictive pattern with such input. With the holidays coming, thinking about our choices will become even more challenging!
Great article and thanks for posting. I just learned yesterday that olive oil is better for you than canola…BUT clearly we need to watch our over all oil intake.
I just couldnt leave your website before saying that I really enjoyed the quality information you offer to your visitors… Will be back often to check up on new stuff you post!
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
I thought it was going to be some boring old post, but it really compensated for my time. I will post a link to this page on my blog. I am sure my visitors will find that very useful.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
Yes, the buzz word is balance. Generally, we are way off balance in most aspects of our lives. Especially when it comes to how we nourish our bodies (which plays a direct role in the nourishment of our minds and spirits). Being Greek, olive oil has always been at the table. Way too much of it. Only when I went raw did I find that my oil intake greatly declined. It was as if my body began to work all by itself. I no longer needed or craved fats and oils. And I believe my body “speaks” to me telling me what I need…. the trick is learning to listen… and it was as if my body was saying, “just a dash of olive oil, no more”.
Be well everyone!
Thank you Vida! Yes you have hit the nail on the head, our bodies speak to us, and we seem to listen only to those addictive cravings sometimes. But when we reduce the overage of sugars and fats, the cravings diminish!
I appreciate your input!
Vicki
Great information on this site. I love reading your posts. Thanks a lot!
I really appreciate for this topics you post here. Thanks for sharing information with all, that is actually helpful.
Hi Vicki! Whenever I say Olive Oil is bad for the heart, the Olive Oil people always ask for proof. I always refer them to this video! Keep up the great stuff!
Indeed! Anything in excess is not going to be good for you, especially oils!
Thanks for stopping by and referring this post!
How sure are we that olive oil isn’t good for the heart? Is olive oil a good alternative for omega 3 when taken moderately a day?
The point of the article and video were twofold, that eating large amounts of (any) oil, including olive oil, or in other words getting the predominance of our calories form oil, is not heart healthy. Secondly, heating olive oil breaks it down chemically so that it is no longer as healthy an oil at all.
Of course olive oil is a much healthier alternative than many other oils when not cooked and not eaten in abundance (getting too much a percentage of calories per day from it).
Wishing You Abundant Health,
I love using olive oil in all ways-but didn’t know the health benefits could be changed by cooking it! I suppose it is still a good sub as compared to other oils, but I’ll be enjoying it more raw (esp. since I buy the good olive oil online!)