Olive Oil Fights Diabetes and Heart Disease

Several studies have shown that olive oil either alone or as part of a Mediterranean diet is good for lowering blood pressure. And now a new study shows that this tasty oil is also good for fighting off cholesterol problems and diabetes. . . .

The study was randomized and included twenty-five healthy people. First they ate a Mediterranean style meal either with or without 10g of extra virgin olive oil or without, and then they ate a Mediterranean style meal with either 10g of extra virgin olive oil or 10g of corn oil.

Compared to no olive oil, adding extra virgin olive oil to a meal significantly decreased post meal blood sugar, harmful LDL cholesterol, the dangerous oxidized LDL cholesterol and increased insulin; compared to corn oil, it significantly decreased blood sugar, LDL cholesterol and oxidized LDL cholesterol while increasing insulin.

This study suggests that adding extra virgin olive oil to your diet may increase insulin sensitivity and decrease your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For more on cooking with olive oil and eating to prevent diabetes and heart disease, see Linda’s All-New Vegetarian Passport cookbook.

Nutr Diabetes 2015;5:e172