Why is olive oil so good for us?
Olive oil’s health benefits are mostly down to its high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content. Dairy or meat products contain saturated fats which lead to ‘bad’ cholesterol that can build up on artery walls.
MUFAs, on the other hand, promote ‘good’ cholesterol which counters this effect. Swapping butter or other fats for olive oil could therefore reduce your risk of heart disease. Olive oil also has high levels of vitamin E and other antioxidants, which are believed to help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals (unstable atoms or molecules). This could in turn ward off serious illnesses like cancer.
Answered by Alex Cheung