5 benefits of olive oil that explain why it’s a staple of the Mediterranean diet

Here’s why one registered dietitian says “Olive you so much” to EVOO. Watch the video.

If you know anything about the Mediterranean diet, it’s probably that olive oil reigns supreme. And it’s not just because it’s essential for crafting salad dressing or making oven-baked foods even more delicious, but also because it’s so good for your health. In Well+Good’s latest installment of You Versus Food, dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, is here to share olive the benefits (sorry, I couldn’t resist).

1. Olive oil is a powerful antioxidant

Yes, the same kind of compounds you find in blueberries and teas are also found in olive oil. “[Antioxidants] act as a scavenger for harmful free radicals and has been shown to reduce chronic disease,” Beckerman says.

2. It can help reduce inflammation

Although inflammation isn’t always a bad thing, an excess of inflammation can lead to health problems like arthritis.  Enter olive oil, which Beckerman says is made of primarily monounsaturated fats like oleic acid. Studies suggest oleic acid can decrease chronic inflammation, Beckerman says. Talk about a win!

Cooking with olive oil can be a bit tricky—there are different types, and you may lose some of the benefits if you use them wrong. To learn the best cooking practices, and all the other benefits olive oil has to offer, watch the full video.

If you’re craving more You Versus Food, be sure to watch Beckerman explain the gut-healthy benefits of watermelon and her take on the Keto diet.