The harmful effects of air pollution may be able to be warded off with the ingestion of a simple olive oil supplement.

According to a new study presented at the 2014 American Thoracic Society International Conference, those who take olive oils supplements on a regular basis may be able to protect their bodies from adverse vascular effects caused by pollutants in the environment.

Lead study author Dr. Haiyan Tong, MD, PhD, a research biologist with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and a team of researchers analyzed 42 healthy adults who were either given 3g/day of olive oils, fish oil, or no supplements for four weeks. They were then exposed to filtered air, then again to
fine/ultrafine concentrated ambient particulate matter (CAP) in a controlled-exposure chamber the following day.

The researchers discovered that immediately after inhaling the particles, those who had been given olive oil supplements did not show a significant loss of endothelial function. In contrast, a significant reduction in the ability of a key artery in the arm to dilate in response to blood flow was displayed in those who had not been taking supplements. Those who took fish oil instead of olive oil supplements also showed no effect on endothelial function.

The ingestion of olive oils supplements was also associated with alterations in blood markers associated with the constriction of blood vessels.

“Our study suggests that use of olive oil supplements may protect against the adverse vascular effects of exposure to air pollution particles. If these results are replicated in further studies, use of these supplements might offer a safe, low cost, and effective means of counteracting some of the health consequences of exposure to air pollution,” said Dr. Tong in a statement.