Virgin olive oil is made from the first pressing of olives and contains higher levels of a class of antioxidants known as polyphenols than more refined olive oils that come from later pressings.that prevent the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol while promoting healthly HDL cholesterol levels. It lowers the bad cholesterol while keeping the level of good cholesterol up. As a result, it offers tremendous protection against heart disease.

Researchers say these polyphenols reduce the risk of heart disease in addition to the heart-healthy benefits attributed to the good fatty acids(monounsaturated fatty acids) found in olive oil.

Researchers found that the virgin olive oil higher in polyphenols increased the level of good, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol more than the other two types of olive oil.

Virgin olive oil also produced another healthy antioxidant effect: It increased the level of substances in the body that prevent the oxidation of bad, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Oxidation of this type of cholesterol is linked to the formation of clots in blood vessels, which could lead to heart attack or stroke.