Bryan Johnson is WRONG about olive oil. Here's why.

The Truth About Olive Oil: Is It Hurting Your Longevity?

If you’re someone who uses olive oil or is considering buying it, you need to know how it could be impacting your longevity. Olive oil has long been marketed as a health food, but is it really as beneficial as it seems? Let’s dive into the scientific facts.

The Olive Oil Process: From Olives to Oil

Extra virgin olive oil is made by cold-pressing fresh olives to separate the oil from the water and paste. But here’s the truth: olive oil is a processed food. While whole olives are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, the oil itself is just pure fat with zero nutrients. When you compare 400 calories of olive oil to 400 calories of whole olives, the difference is stark—olive oil has no fiber, no vitamins, and no minerals.

Olive Oil and Saturated Fat

One of the biggest issues with olive oil is its saturated fat content. While often marketed as a heart-healthy unsaturated fat, it still contains about 15% saturated fat. Studies have shown that any intake of saturated fat above zero raises LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart disease. Essentially, there is no safe amount of saturated fat for human consumption, so why add it to your diet?

Olive Oil: Ultra-Processed and Nutrient-Devoid

Even the fanciest, artisanal olive oils are still ultra-processed foods, no healthier than junk foods like soft-serve ice cream or candy bars. While humans have been consuming olive oil for thousands of years, our bodies evolved on a much lower fat diet, making today’s high-fat diets, including olive oil consumption, problematic.

The Science: What Olive Oil Does to Your Body

When you consume olive oil, it impacts your body in several negative ways. For starters, it can injure your endothelial cells, which are crucial for heart health. Research shows that olive oil reduces the ability of your arteries to dilate, leading to poor blood flow and an increased risk of heart disease. Additionally, olive oil increases blood clotting factors, making your blood more likely to clot—a significant risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Conclusion: Is Olive Oil Worth It?

The evidence against olive oil is overwhelming. Despite its reputation, olive oil is not the heart-healthy food it’s made out to be. It’s an ultra-processed, nutrient-lacking food that can harm your health in various ways. If you’re serious about longevity, it might be time to ditch the olive oil and explore healthier alternatives.

Cooking without oil is easier than you might think—try sautéing with water, vegetable broth, or vinegar instead. By cutting out oil, you can save hundreds of calories per meal and make a significant impact on your overall health. Your journey to better health starts with making informed choices, and olive oil might be one to reconsider.

In good health, 

Jill Ritchie