Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 717 Sun. June 04, 2006  
   
Star Health


Olive oil and palm olein are beneficial against coronary heart disease
Olive oil is touted as the gold standard among all edible oils today. A reputation that has been gained primarily from its association of a lower incidence of heart diseases among the Mediterranean populations who have traditionally consumed olive oil as their main dietary fat.

The component of interest is the monounsaturated oleic acid content of olive oil, which on average is about 70 percent of its composition.

Palm Olein, the liquid fraction of Palm Oil, averages 47-53 percent of its composition as the same oleic acid that is found in olive oil and the other monounsaturated oils.

Did you know that despite the lower content of monounsaturated oleic acid in palm olein, the ability of olive oil and palm olein to regulate plasma cholesterol levels in humans is essentially identical.

Humans fed diets predominating as either olive oil or palm olein showed identical plasma cholesterol response which augers well for the beneficial effects of these oils against coronary heart disease risk.