Olive oil not only tastes great on food, but it is a natural anti-oxidant. Olive oil is a natural juice which preserves the taste, aroma, vitamins and properties of the olive fruit. Olive oil is the only vegetable oil that can be consumed as it is – freshly pressed from the fruit.

The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and its high content of antioxidative substances. Studies have shown that olive oil offers protection against heart disease by controlling LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels. No other naturally produced oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated as olive oil -mainly oleic acid.

Olive oil is beneficial to your stomach, your heart, and your colon. Some studies show that consuming olive oil on a regular basis will prevent heart disease and colon disease. When buying olive oil you will want to obtain a high quality EXTRA VIRGIN oil. The oil that comes from the first “pressing” of the olive, is extracted without using heat (a cold press) or chemicals, and has no “off” flavors is awarded “extra virgin” status. The less the olive oil is handled, the closer to its natural state, the better the oil. If the olive oil meets all the criteria, it can be designated as “extra virgin”.

If you are interested in purchasing olive oil for daily consumption, try the many brands found at Trader Joes, or in specialty shops like Salumeria Luca in Carmel or The Bountiful Basket in Carmel. Not only will it taste great, the olive oil may help you feel better.