Consuming Half a Tablespoon of Olive Oil Daily Lowers the Risk of Various Diseases

A comprehensive study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, which followed 92,000 people over 28 years, revealed the positive effects of consuming about half a tablespoon of olive oil every day on health.

Risk Reductions Revealed by the Research

The study, which tracked approximately 92,000 individuals for 28 years, proved that people who consumed about 7 grams of olive oil per day had a significantly lower risk of various health problems.

According to the study results, those consuming this amount of olive oil had a 19 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, a 17 percent lower risk of cancer, a 29 percent lower risk of neurodegenerative disease, and an 18 percent lower risk of lung disease.

Effects on Cardiovascular Health

While dietary habits are known to play a critical role in cardiovascular health, regular olive oil consumption is directly associated with the reduction of these risks.

Cardiology and Internal Medicine Specialist Prof. Dr. Nevrez Koylan stated that olive oil reduces inflammation, improves vascular function, regulates cholesterol levels, and lowers blood pressure.

The Importance of Olive Oil Types for Health

As much as the amount consumed, the type and quality of the olive oil also directly affect the protective effect on the body.

Experts and current analyses point out that extra virgin olive oil, which is rich in polyphenols, provides much stronger protection compared to refined olive oil.

Daily Consumption Amount and Expert Recommendations

In the guidelines of the American Heart Association, olive oil is highlighted as one of the most important sources of unsaturated fat that can be preferred over saturated fats.

For a healthy life, experts generally recommend an upper limit of 2 tablespoons, which is about 25 to 30 grams, for daily olive oil consumption.