From Courtney, our operations manager: There has been quite a buzz around the Mediterranean diet lately and we wanted to share some of the information with you. The Mediterranean diet consists mostly of healthy fats and plant foods.

Olive Oil is one of the key components to the Mediterranean diet, which plays a role in lowering LDL, a bad form of cholesterol. Not only that, but this diet holds many other health benefits. It protects against the development of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and certain types of cancer. The newest study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that the Mediterranean diet reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease by a whopping 30% in those most at risk. Participants who were asked to consume at least 4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) showed the most improvement. One thing that the study results neglected to mention is the heightened benefit of freshness in EVOOs. Olive oil should be consumed within 18 months of the olive harvest date, so ALWAYS look for that date when purchasing in order to get maximum health benefits.

Along with Extra Virgin Olive Oils, the other foods that are staples to this life style are vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts. Meats and dairy play a smaller role.

F. Oliver’s has plenty of options of ultra premium Extra Virgin Olive Oils to start you on your path to a healthier and longer life. Stop in to any of our stores and we can help you choose different Flavor Infused or Single Varietal Oils to drizzle on fruits or vegetables along with any other culinary use.