Healing foods: Olive Oil

All About Olive Oil
by Jordan Rubin

The olive branch has symbolized peace throughout history, and olives and olive oil have been used as powerful remedies for a wide variety of ills. Olive oil is one of the most digestible of all fats. A diet rich in olive oil contributes to longevity and reduces the wear and tear of aging on the body tissues, organs, and the brain. It reduces the risk of heart disease and cancer, and it can protect against stomach ulcers.

I believe high-quality extra-virgin olive oil should not be used in cooking, though, as some of the nutrients in olive oil become less effective when heated. For that reason, I recommend that it be mixed into food once the food has cooled.

Jordan's Tip of the Day From the author of The Maker's Diet

Shopping for Olive Oil
For the most healthful, nutritious, and flavorful olive oil, look for extra virgin olive oil in your local grocery store. Extra virgin olive oil, also referred to as E.V.O.O., is the result of the first cold-pressing of an olive crop. Use it often on salads, in pesto, and in marinades for a rich, classic Mediterranean flavor!