Olive oil is an entirely natural product. Compared to other fats and oils, it contains large amounts of monounsaturated fatty acids and minimal amounts of saturated fats. It’s no coincidence that olive oil is a hero in the Mediterranean diet. Numerous studies, conducted since the mid-20th century, have shown a strong correlation between diet, diseases, and mortality from various illnesses.
The Mediterranean diet has proven to protect against cardiovascular diseases and various types of cancer. Populations following it consumed small amounts of saturated fatty acids and, on the other hand, large amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. One of the key features of this dietary model is the use of olive oil as the primary source of fat.