The reasons to add olive oil to your diet just keep piling up. .
Since 2019, at least a dozen studies have shown that olive oil has anti-inflammatory properties. This is possibly because it contains 70 to 80 percent oleic acid, an energy molecule that also partly comprises cell membranes, according to a 2023 study published in the journal Nutrients. Chronic inflammation is thought to drive diseases such as cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, and obesity.
Research suggests that a small amount of olive oil — as little as a half a tablespoon daily — may reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease.