According to a new study, using olive oil instead of margarine, butter and other saturated fats may reduce one’s risk of dying from dementia, respiratory disease, cardiovascular issues and cancer.
The study authors stated that their analysis concluded it was the simultaneous decrease of saturated fats with the increased intake of monounsaturated fats from the olive oil.
The researchers recommended replacing butter (et al.) with olive oil as often as one can.
The study analyzed the diet data from people enrolled in two large, government-funded studies. The Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Study authors analyzed and compared data on disease, death and diet over time.
Both men and women who used just 2 teaspoons of olive oil instead of margarine, mayonnaise, butter or other dairy fat with the same volume of olive oil and an 34% lower risk of death than people who ate little or no olive oil.
Most large, long-term studies on olive oil consumption have been done in countries where citizens consume much more olive oil. This study tracked over 90, 000 U.S. residents for up to 30 years. While other studies have come to similar conclusions, this large analysis only reinforces those findings.