The Mediterranean Diet: Olive Oil

Welcome to my final Mediterranean diet post from the United States (actually sitting in the airport while writing!) The remainder of my Mediterranean posts will come to you from Spain!

This week we are going to be taking a look at olive oil, a Mediterranean diet stable! In the Mediterranean region they use olive oil for everything! From cooking meats and sauteing vegetables to dipping bread and using on salads instead of dressing.

Olive oil has a TON of health benefits. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids or MUFAs. MUFAs promote heart health and can lower your risk of heart disease and improve your cholesterol (https://www.health.harvard.edu/nutrition/is-extra-virgin-olive-oil-extra-healthy) .

Olive oil is also a potent anti-inflammatory. Studies have found that incorporating olive oil in your diet for only three months can significantly lower the levels of circulating inflammation in your body.

Diets high in olive oil are associated with lower risk of certain forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes and can even improve the symptoms of arthritis! Just to name a few of the many benefits.

BUT it is important that you use the RIGHT kind of olive oil. Extra virgin olive oil is the one you are looking for. This is the purest form of olive oil that is associated with all of these health benefits.

What is your favorite way to use olive oil? Comment below!