Can too much olive oil cause heart disease? (2023)

Can too much olive oil cause heart disease?

While there is some truth to this (olive oil does appear to cause relatively less damage than saturated animal fats), it is important to note that 'less damage' is still damage. The scientific evidence clearly shows that olive oil plays a role both in damaging blood vessels as well as forming atherosclerotic plaques.

The monounsaturated fats in olive oil offer several health benefits. However, excess consumption of olive oil may cause several side effects. It may cause acne, allergies, skin rashes, blackheads, and saturated- and trans-fat-related diseases. It may also cause diarrhea and inflammation in some people.

As a general rule of thumb, between one and two tablespoons a day is a good amount of olive oil to consume. This goes for both olive oil that you drink for health benefits and also olive oil that you consume with food as part of your regular cooking process.

New research reveals that consuming high levels of four major saturated fats – such as those found in butter, lard, red meat, dairy fat, and palm oil – may raise the risk of coronary heart disease.

Consuming more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day may lower heart disease risk, a 2020 study found.

Optimum Daily Intake

According to the US FDA, our daily intake of monounsaturated fatty acids should be at least around 17.5 grams, which is about 1.5 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil. So consume a tablespoon of olive oil daily, instead of cooking with it.

Plus, most kitchens liberally use olive oil and other oils, which has been shown in research studies to increase your risk of having high cholesterol and other cardiometabolic disorders.

“Drinking small amounts of olive oil should not cause harm or elicit negative side effects for most people,” says Laing. Some might experience gastrointestinal discomfort, since consuming any unfamiliar food in excess can cause stomach distress.

The cholesterol-lowering effects of olive oil are even greater if you choose extra-virgin olive oil, which means the oil is less processed and contains more heart-healthy antioxidants.

Quality extra virgin olive oil is an especially healthy fat that retains its beneficial qualities during cooking. The main downside is that overheating can adversely impact its flavor. However, olive oil is quite resistant to heat and doesn't oxidize or go rancid during cooking.

How much olive oil is safe?

Consuming between one teaspoon and one tablespoon (three teaspoons) of olive oil should be enough to get you the benefits without upsetting your stomach. While you can drink olive oil at any time of day, many people say that they prefer to do it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.

Side effects of olive oil includes acne (if used excessively), can show acute allergic reactions in people sensitive to it, skin rashes, breaking the skin's natural moisturizing abilities in case of dry skin, blackheads, inflammations, gall bladder stones, minor to moderate diarrhoea.

Olive oil may help lower the risk of heart disease, according to preliminary research that also showed it was beneficial as a substitute for butter or mayonnaise.

Official answer. You can check for heart disease at home by measuring your pulse rate and your blood pressure if you have a blood pressure monitor. You can also monitor yourself for symptoms of heart disease, such as: Chest pain, pressure, discomfort, or tightness.

These potent molecules mean that even a little bit of the right olive oil consumed daily can protect from cardiovascular disease and reduce existing damage to the heart and arteries. This is why cardiologists recommend switching to high-phenolic olive oil.

Blood vessels become more flexible and healthier (Oleic Acid in olive oil protects blood vessels) HDL (good) cholesterol increases from monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA's) in olive oil.

Consuming more than four tablespoons a day can significantly lower your risk of having a heart attack, suffering from a stroke or dying of heart disease, according to the recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

“The general body of research says that once you have two or more tablespoons a day, you'll improve your blood pressure, your glucose levels and your good cholesterol,” Flynn says. “But I've found that the weight-loss effect comes into play at three tablespoons, so that's what I recommend.

Our review of key published studies indicates that daily use of at least two tablespoons of EVOO can lower blood pressure, compared to oils rich in polyunsaturated fats or to refined olive oil.

Does olive oil raise HDL or LDL?

[48] showed that olive oil polyphenols increase the size of HDL particles, enhance the stability of HDL by generating a triglyceride-poor core, and enhance the antioxidant status of HDL by increasing the olive oil polyphenol metabolite content of the lipoprotein.

Coconut oil consumption significantly increased LDL-cholesterol by 10.47 mg/dL (95% CI: 3.01, 17.94; I² = 84%, N=16) and HDL-cholesterol by 4.00 mg/dL (95% CI: 2.26, 5.73; I² = 72%, N=16) as compared with nontropical vegetable oils.

Heart-healthy oils like canola, corn, olive, peanut, and sunflower oils contain monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. They help to lower harmful low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and raise healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.

To sum up, you absolutely can drink olive oil, and there are many health benefits to doing so. Olive oil has anti inflammatory properties, lowers blood pressure and is believed to reduce your risk of heart disease. For a 2000 calorie diet, is recommended you consume around 35 grams of olive oil per day.

Is it safe to drink olive oil? Yes! According to Healthline, some who live in the Mediterranean drink ¼ cup of olive oil daily. Drinking olive oil is a long-standing practice in Mediterranean countries where olive oil is a staple.

Yes, drinking olive oil in the morning may help you keep healthy – It has been proven to contain antioxidants; it can be good for weight loss, for your skin, for your throat, contains anti-inflammatory nutrients and comes with other health benefits, but there are other things to keep in mind too when it comes to your ...

It's also one of the top sources of monounsaturated fats that help lower cholesterol and help prevent inflammation. Your body depends on getting some fat from your diet, and consuming 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil each day is a healthy way to meet that need.

“Extra virgin olive oil is a great source of monounsaturated fatty acid and has shown to help reduce one's risk for heart disease,” Woodruff said.

Increase your intake of unsaturated fats

A 2019 review of 27 studies reported that while olive oil consumption does decrease triglycerides levels, it does so significantly less than other types of plant oil ( 30 ).

Olive oil has a lower smoke point-the point at which an oil literally begins to smoke (olive oil's is between 365° and 420°F)-than some other oils. When you heat olive oil to its smoke point, the beneficial compounds in oil start to degrade, and potentially health-harming compounds form.

Does olive oil cause joint inflammation?

Additionally, the polyphenol extract found in extra virgin olive oil can decrease joint edema, cell migration, cartilage degradation, and bone erosion. Introducing olive oil into your meal plans could significantly decrease arthritis pain and inflammation symptoms.

Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs) interacts with OLIVE OIL. Olive oil might lower blood pressure. Taking olive oil along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low.

In comparison, palm oil and coconut oil are high in saturated fat which increases LDL cholesterol and risk of heart disease. In recent years, coconut oil has become more popular and although using small amounts to add flavour is ok, it's a good idea to choose another oil like olive oil as a main cooking oil.

eating about 2 tablespoons (23 grams) of olive oil daily may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease due to the monounsaturated fat in olive oil. The FDA recomends that the 2 tablespoons of olive oil replace other fats in your diet such as butter or other saturated fats.

Monounsaturated Fats

According to MayoClinic.com, consuming MUFAs improves your blood cholesterol levels, reduces your risk of heart disease and may help stabilize blood sugar levels. Foods high in monounsaturated fats include olive, canola, sunflower and sesame oils, avocados, pecans, almonds, salmon and herring.

Taking extra virgin olive oil before bed can help with inflammation. One of the best health benefits of olive oil is definitely its anti-inflammatory properties. Did you know that drinking EVOO before bed could help keep certain pains at bay?

Small vessel disease signs and symptoms include: Chest pain, squeezing or discomfort (angina), which may get worse with activity or emotional stress. Discomfort in the left arm, jaw, neck, back or abdomen along with chest pain. Shortness of breath.

A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. The classic signs and symptoms of a heart attack include crushing chest pain or pressure, shoulder or arm pain, shortness of breath, and sweating. Women may have less typical symptoms, such as neck or jaw pain, nausea and fatigue.

You can't feel a clogged artery, so many people don't know they have blocked arteries until they experience an emergency such as a heart attack. Fortunately, certain lifestyle changes and treatments can help lower your risk of a blocked artery.

What are the worst types of oil for your heart? Man-made, listed as "partially hydrogenated oil" in the ingredients list of packaged foods. Increase risk of heart disease more than any other type of oil.

Is olive oil OK for heart patients?

The health benefits of olive oil have been attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, observational studies have shown a link between lower risks of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and even dementia in people who consume higher amounts of olive oil than those who use little or none.

You can “unclog” your arteries with natural methods, including diet, exercise, and stress management. Quitting smoking, if you smoke, can also help reverse plaque.

Extra virgin olive oil inhibits abnormal platelet aggregation that underlies most heart attacks and ischemic strokes. Animal studies show that olive oil decreases atherosclerotic lesions, plaque size, and inflammatory responses.

Leading risk factors for heart disease and stroke are high blood pressure, high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, diabetes, smoking and secondhand smoke exposure, obesity, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.

Olive oil polyphenols decrease blood pressure and improve endothelial function in young women with mild hypertension.

Because olive oil has more monounsaturated fats (the heart-healthy fats) than butter, it stands to reason it's also healthier to cook with.

“Extra virgin olive oil is a great source of monounsaturated fatty acid and has shown to help reduce one's risk for heart disease,” Woodruff said.