A recent study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms what Mediterranean cultures have known for centuries: olive oil is not just heart-healthy—it may also help in the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Researchers from Harvard and other leading institutions followed over 121,000 men and women in the United States for up to 24 years to examine how changes in fat consumption impacted long-term body weight. The results were compelling. Participants who increased their olive oil intake experienced less weight gain than those who consumed more butter, margarine, or vegetable oils.