12 Foods You Should Eat Every Day

Monounsaturated fatty acids are the main form of fat in olive oil. These healthy fats are a lot better for you than saturated and trans fats. Replacing saturated and trans fats with unsaturated fats can lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart disease. Remember that even healthy fats like olive oil are high in calories and should be eaten in moderation.

Olive oil has beneficial anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. It also contains polyphenols, plant-based compounds that act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in the body. Polyphenols can help prevent cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Olive oil has numerous benefits for heart health, which is a big deal, since heart disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. Extensive research has shown that olive oil reduces inflammation, raises good cholesterol and lowers bad cholesterol, improves blood vessel function, lowers blood pressure, and reduce the risk of blood clots.

Olive oil is a healthier option than butter, margarine, and cooking oils like canola oil and soybean oil. Olive oil is delicious drizzled over salad or hummus, and it’s great for cooking chicken or fish. Olive oil is especially yummy paired with garlic, which has numerous health benefits of its own. Try sauteing your favorite veggies in garlic-infused olive oil and prepare to be impressed by the full-fledged flavor.