In recent years, the health benefits of olive oil in preventing cardiovascular diseases have gradually become known to consumers, fueling an "olive oil craze." Many middle-aged and elderly friends have even started using olive oil as a "health oil," drinking a spoonful or two after meals every day. Is olive oil really that effective?
The main component of olive oil is oleic acid, a monounsaturated fatty acid (accounting for over 70%). Compared to animal fats and creams, which are primarily composed of saturated fatty acids, it is indeed healthier. Furthermore, cold-pressed olive oil is rich in vitamins and polyphenols, giving it certain antioxidant properties. High-quality extra virgin olive oil also contains special flavor compounds, which people in the Mediterranean region particularly enjoy dipping bread into. Research has also found that the polyphenolic phytochemicals in olive oil may help improve gut microbiota.
However, these characteristics do not mean that olive oil is a superior health oil, nor do they mean you need to replace all the cooking oil in your home with olive oil, or even drink a spoonful or two after meals for health reasons. It's important to remember that even the best olive oil is still a fat. If you consume it in addition to your regular meals instead of substituting it for other cooking oils, it will undoubtedly increase your energy intake, raising the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases. Besides, oleic acid is also found in corn oil and canola oil, and polyphenolic phytochemicals are present in many fresh fruits and vegetables. There's no need to blindly worship olive oil in pursuit of these nutrients.