Olive Oil

Oleum olivae; Sweet Oil

... Using olive oil in place of butter and other fats that come from animal sources may help to prevent heart disease. Fats are generally classified as saturated or unsaturated according to their chemical structures. Saturated fats are usually solid at room temperature. Mainly derived from animal sources, saturated fats are more likely to form deposits in blood vessels, thereby increasing the chance of having high cholesterol, heart disease, and other conditions. Liquid plant oils such as olive oil, are mostly unsaturated and less likely to accumulate in blood vessels. In addition, olive oil contains large amounts of fatty acids including linolenic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. These and other fatty acids are thought to block the production of chemicals that lead to the formation of deposits in the blood vessels. When unsaturated (plant) fats replace saturated (animal) fats in the diet, blood cholesterol levels may be lowered and the risk of heart disease may decrease. ...

Olive Oil can be: Olive oil, a food made from crushed olives Olive Oyl, a c ...