Olive oil benefits: Is olive oil good for you?

Olive oil health benefits range from conditioning your hair and skin to supporting internal organs such as your brain and heart. But how does this unsung hero of the larder have such a positive effect on your body?

First and foremost, olive oil is an incredibly powerful antioxidant. It's so potent that it has frequently been called the healthiest fat there is. We have the fatty acids in olive oil to thank for this ability. (It’s important to note that extra virgin olive oil contains a significantly higher percentage of both antioxidants and fatty acids than other grades of olive oil do.) 

Beyond its impressive antioxidant capabilities, olive oil also has a number of other qualities which can help support the body’s natural function. 

As it’s such a familiar ingredient, eating olive oil is a great way to easily incorporate some health benefits into your diet. Its distinctive, nutty and slightly bitter taste is the perfect foil for a whole range of delicious foods, and is complementary to almost anything you might dream up in the kitchen.

So, whether you like your olive oil simply with some fresh bread for dipping, or you love using it to whip up a classic vinaigrette, get ready to look at this stalwart of the kitchen shelf in a whole new way. 

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Oleic acid is the primary monounsaturated fat in olive oil. Research has supported numerous benefits of oleic acid. (1)(2) These abilities play out alongside the antioxidants we've mentioned.