Olive oil is renowned as a superfood. It’s a key component of the Mediterranean diet, which promotes longevity, 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 contributes to the development of new fat cells.
Oleic acid belongs to a type of monounsaturated fat known as omega-9. While olive oil is the main source of oleic acid, this fatty acid is also found in other products such as 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 may then lead to cardiovascular diseases 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 those rich in oleic acid.
Researchers noticed that an excess of oleic acid altered the activity of two proteins, known as AKT2 and LXR, which in turn accelerated the growth of precursor cells that form new fat cells. This effect did not occur with other fats, according to BBC Science Focus.
The scientists also conducted experiments with samples of human fat tissue and found that the changes in the activity of the aforementioned proteins occur in the human body under the influence of high levels of oleic acid. However, Dr. Rudolph does not believe that one should completely eliminate olive oil from their diet. He suggests that fats from various sources should simply be consumed in moderation.
In small amounts, oleic acid contributes to a healthier life. Previous studies have linked it to healthy aging and lower levels of inflammation.
The findings of the study were published in the journal Reports.