Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Healing Foods

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Improve your health profile by trading saturated fats in your diet for this Mediterranean staple

The antioxidant content and high proportion of monounsaturated fat that occur naturally in olive oil have been proven to help prevent common life-threatening conditions aggravated by saturated fat, including coronary disease. “Swapping 2 tablespoons of olive oil every day for saturated fat can protect your heart by lowering ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol,” says Karen Ansel, MS, RD, a media representative for the New York State Dietetic Association. Extra virgin varieties also contain a plant chemical called oleocanthal, which was recently shown to be a natural anti-inflammatory.

Choose It & Use It
Choose oils from a single country. A North American Olive Oil Association or California Olive Oil Council seal certifies extra virgin grade. The latter ensures a low 0.5 percent fatty acid content, indicating fresher oil and more antioxidants. Check pressing dates; most stay fresh two years. Store in dark glass bottles in a cool, dark place. Cook with standard oilssave premium oils for dressing salads, dipping bread, or finishing cooked dishes.

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No-Cook Cannellini Salad with Pesto Dressing

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A cook who has a delicious prepared pesto within arm’s reach is a bit like a woman who owns a perfect little black dress: Both are always ready at a moment’s notice to face an expectant public. In this recipe, the pesto is tossed with white beans to create an