Excessive consumption of this alleged 'healthy fat' may contribute to an expansion of your waistline, according to a recent study.
Got a chunk of new intel on the table about olive oil, peeps!
The lowdown is, a fresh study published in the mag Cell Reports points out that olive oil's primary component, oleic acid, could potentially contribute to more weight gain than other fat sources.
What makes oleic acid special? It's a type of monounsaturated fat, or omega-9, but it's not exclusive to olive oil. You'll also find it in rapeseed (canola) oil, sunflower oil, nuts, meats, cheese, eggs, and avocados.
So, what's the beef with oleic acid? Well, the scientists, including the cool cat Dr Michael Rudolph from the Uni of Oklahoma, noticed that when you pump up the oleic acid, it kicks off a chain reaction. This boosts an army of fat cells—like increasing the number of soldiers in your army—which can store more dietary nutrients. Prolonged consumption of excess nutrients can eventually pave the way for obesity and related health issues, such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes[1][2].
Not to alarm ya, but the research squad fed mice a slew of high-fat diets using various oils and fats, including coconut oil, peanut oil, milk, lard, and soybean oil. They discovered that high levels of oleic acid cranked up the activity of a couple of proteins called AKT2 and LXR, leading to speedier growth of precursor cells—the folks who build new fat cells. This was not the case with other fats[3].
But fear not, olive oil fans! Rudolph suggests not to ditch the Italian gold just yet. The takeaway is to strike a balance and get your fats from various sources. Reasonable amounts of oleic acid, apparently, are linked to good health, but too much for too long could potentially pack on the pounds[1][4].
Worth mentioning, this research was conducted on mice, so the effects may not translate directly to humans.
As curious cats, we're all about delving deeper into the world of food and health. You might wanna check out these intriguing reads:
- Why olive wastewater could soon put a spring in your diet
- Transform your munchies with this revolutionary food pyramid
- Is it time we gave fat a warm embrace?
[1] Olive oil and weight gain: what you need to know[2] The impact of oleic acid on fat cell proliferation[3] A deeper dive into the relationship between oleic acid and obesity[4] Balancing your fat intake: tips to stay healthy[5] The truth about olive oil and your heart health
- The recent study published in Cell Reports indicates that while olive oil's primary component, oleic acid, is a monounsaturated fat, its high consumption could potentially contribute to weight gain.
- Interestingly, oleic acid is not exclusive to olive oil and can be found in various sources such as rapeseed (canola) oil, sunflower oil, nuts, meats, cheese, eggs, and avocados.
- The scientists' findings suggest that high levels of oleic acid can boost the activity of proteins like AKT2 and LXR, which leads to speedier growth of precursor cells responsible for building new fat cells.
- However, it's essential to maintain a balanced diet and not rely solely on olive oil for fats, as reasonable amounts of oleic acid are linked to good health, but excess could potentially lead to weight gain.
- As the research on oleic acid and weight management continues, it's interesting to explore other areas of food and health, such as the potential benefits of olive wastewater or the benefits of embracing healthy fats for a well-rounded diet.
