Monica Aggarwal

Dr. Monica Aggarwal, an associate adjunct professor and preventive cardiologist, discusses her groundbreaking study on oil consumption in plant-based diets. She reveals that an oil-free diet leads to better heart health outcomes than those including extra virgin olive oil. The conversation challenges long-standing beliefs about olive oil’s benefits, highlights the importance of whole foods, and addresses the need for better nutrition education in cardiology. Dr. Aggarwal also shares insights into the complexities of nutrition research and the roles of dietary fats.

Dr. Monica Aggarwal is a cardiologist and author who turned her health struggles with rheumatoid arthritis into a mission for plant-based nutrition. She shares insights from her book, Body on Fire, explaining how diet changes helped her reduce inflammation and avoid medications. Monica contrasts the effects of whole-food plant-based diets with varying olive oil intake, revealing that low-oil diets outperformed high-olive-oil ones. She emphasizes practical, patient-centric nutrition advice, advocating for whole foods over oils to enhance heart health.

Dr. Monica Aggarwal, a lead researcher in nutrition, unpacks surprising findings from a clinical trial evaluating the health effects of olive oil. She reveals that olive oil might not be as beneficial as widely believed, especially when compared to a nutrient-rich whole food, plant-based diet. The discussion dives into the complex relationships between olive oil consumption, heart health, and longevity, urging a focus on whole foods over oils for optimal health. Dr. Aggarwal's insights challenge long-held assumptions about dietary fats and promote a more holistic view of nutrition.