Gaby
Olive oil is renowned as a superfood. It’s a key component of the Mediterranean diet, which promotes longevity, a healthy metabolism, and brain and heart health.
However, researchers from the University of Oklahoma, Yale University, and New York University have discovered that olive oil may be more detrimental to your waistline than other fats.
The team’s study revealed that the primary fatty component of olive oil — oleic acid — isn’t as innocent as it seems. It helps create new fat cells.
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fat in the omega-9 family. While olive oil is the main source of oleic acid, this fatty acid is also found in canola and sunflower oils, nuts, meat, cheese, eggs, and avocados.
“Think of fat cells as an army. Oleic acid increases the number of ‘soldiers’ in the fat cell army, creating a larger capacity to store excess nutrients. Over time, if the surplus of nutrients in the body exceeds the number of fat cells, obesity can occur, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes,” explained Dr. Michael Rudolph, an associate professor of biochemistry and physiology at the University of Oklahoma and co-author of the study.
How Was the Study Conducted?
The team fed laboratory mice a variety of high-fat diets, including ones rich in oleic acid.
They found that excess oleic acid changed the activity of two proteins, AKT2 and LXR, which in turn sped up the growth of precursor cells that become new fat cells. This effect did not occur with other fats, according to BBC Science Focus.
The scientists also ran experiments on human fat tissue samples and found that the same protein changes occur in human tissue exposed to high levels of oleic acid. But Dr. Rudolph doesn’t think people should eliminate olive oil entirely. He says fats from different sources should be eaten in moderation.
In small amounts, oleic acid can be part of a healthy diet. Earlier studies have linked it to healthier aging and lower levels of inflammation.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Reports.
