Exploring the Benefits of Oleic Acid: A Look at the Health Benefits of Olive Oil
Olive oil is a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet, which is widely regarded as one of the healthiest ways to eat. It is packed with beneficial antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fats and offers a wide variety of health benefits. Oleic acid, the primary component of olive oil, is responsible for many of these health benefits and is the subject of a new study published in the journal Nutrients.[0] The study highlights the potential benefits of oleic acid, which makes up 70 to 80 percent of olive oil’s composition.
Oleic acid is the most abundant monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) in the human diet and is a major component of membrane phospholipids in the human brain and is found in abundance in neuronal myelin sheaths.[1] It has been observed that decreased levels of oleic acid can be linked to major depressive disorders and Alzheimer’s disease.[2] Oleic acid has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and can directly regulate both the synthesis and activity of antioxidant enzymes.[3] It also has a hypocholesterolaemic effect, which inhibits the expression of proteins associated with cholesterol transport, reducing cholesterol absorption and helping to prevent atherosclerosis.[2]
In addition, oleic acid has been identified as an anti-cancer agent due to its inhibitory effects on the overexpression of oncogenes and their impact on programmed cell death.[0] Although it is generally considered an anti-inflammatory molecule, this is still a subject of debate among scientists.[4]
Most of the studies on olive oil have been conducted on animals and further research is needed to assess its properties and potential health effects in humans. The authors of this study have highlighted the need for further research to confirm the significant properties shown by this molecule and its derivative, oleoylethanolamide, in humans.
Olive oil is a staple of the Mediterranean diet, which is widely considered one of the healthiest ways to eat. It is packed with beneficial antioxidants, healthy monounsaturated fats, and a wide variety of health benefits. Oleic acid, the primary component of olive oil, is responsible for many of these health benefits and is the subject of a new study published in the journal Nutrients.[0] The study highlights the potential benefits of oleic acid, which makes up 70 to 80 percent of olive oil’s composition.
0. “The Benefits of Olive Oil for Health and Well-Being” Lab Manager Magazine, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.labmanager.com/news/the-benefits-of-olive-oil-for-health-and-well-being-29849
1. “Why you should make olive oil part of your diet immediately” The News International, 26 Feb. 2023, https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1044479-why-you-should-make-olive-oil-a-part-of-your-diet
2. “Here's why olive oil is so good for your health” Study Finds, 24 Feb. 2023, https://studyfinds.org/why-olive-oil-good-for-health/
3. “Is Olive Oil Good for You? 5 Reasons You Should Drizzle It in Your Meals” Sportskeeda, 27 Feb. 2023, https://www.sportskeeda.com/health-and-fitness/is-olive-oil-good-you-five-reasons-you-should-drizzle-it-your-meals
4. “Why You Must Include Olive Oil In Your Diet” The Morning News, 26 Feb. 2023, https://themorningnews.com/news/2023/02/26/why-you-must-include-olive-oil-in-your-diet/
