Scientists believe a fatty acid found in olive oil may reduce the risk of breast cancer by as much as 70%.
According to a research by the Northwestern University, the oleic acid significantly reduced levels of a protein that is produced by the breast cancer gene known as Her-2/neu. This gene appears in nearly a fifth of breast cancer patients and is also associated with very fast-growing tumors.
Researchers indicated their findings may explain why the Mediterranean diet, which just happens to be rich in olive oil, provides protection against developing breast cancer. The study has appeared in the Annals of Oncology.