Diet rich in olive oil ‘protects the liver’

People can protect their livers by eating a diet that is rich in extra virgin olive oil, a study has suggested.

Researchers writing in BioMed Central's open access journal Nutrition and Metabolism found that rats fed on a diet containing the olive oil were partially protected from liver damage caused by a moderately toxic herbicide known to deplete antioxidants and cause oxidative stress.

The key researcher in the study was Mohamed Hammami, from the University of Monastir, Tunisia and King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

He noted that olive oil is an integral ingredient in a Mediterranean diet and that "there is growing evidence that it may have great health benefits".

"Here, we've shown that extra virgin olive oil and its extracts protect against oxidative damage of hepatic tissue," Mr Hammami added.

Back in June, scientists from the Miriam Hospital, Rhode Island, found that consuming a lot of olive oil produces greater weight loss in breast cancer survivors compared to a more traditional low-fat diet.

Do you cook using olive oil?