People with cardiovascular disease can breathe a sigh of relief

New Delhi: As heart disease is becoming one of the major reasons for deaths in the country, experts have said that olive oil can help to reduce the risk significantly.

Olive oil is rich in MUFA or mono unsaturated fatty acids which helps in improving glycemic control and plasma lipid control and increase insulin sensitivity in diabetics and improve cardio vascular health, according to the experts.

The World Heath Organisation estimated that by 2020, cardiovascular disease will be the cause of over 40 per cent deaths in India as compared to 24 per cent in 1990.

"Olive oil contains a very important health benefiting element called oleic acid. It is known to be extremely heart-healthy and capable of fighting free radical damage (or oxidative stress), which has numerous health implications," said Nidhi Dhawan, head dietician at city based Saroj Superspecialty hospital.

Dhawan said that due to the presence of powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols, olive oil is considered an anti-inflammatory food.

"It has been proven that olive oil is beneficial as it prevents strokes, keeps the heart young, fights osteoporosis, protects from depression, prevents skin and breast cancer," said Neelima Burra, Chief Marketing Officer of Cargill foods.

The experts were speaking on the occasion of World Health Day.

Unlike other edible oils, olive oil contains about 75 per cent mono saturated fat which makes it the healthiest.

(With IANS inputs)