[adrian_b]

Actually this study is consistent with several studies done in rats, but I do not remember now the links.

In the studies done in rats, the purpose was to determine whether a high-fat diet causes or prevents atherosclerosis.

In rats, the worst outcome was caused by a diet high in saturated fat and much better outcomes were caused by a diet enriched in oleic acid, e.g. by using high-oleic sunflower oil.

However, the extra-virgin olive oil had an additional protective effect against atherosclerosis, in comparison with the other vegetable oils with a similar fatty acid profile.

So the conclusion is that EVOO includes some unidentified substance, perhaps a phenolic compound, which is good for cardiovascular health.

This, together with the fact that the olive oil has an optimal fatty acid profile with high content of oleic acid and with enough linoleic acid, makes it a very good choice for the main source of fat in the food.