Eating For Health

Did you know that olive oil is not only delicious but is a powerhouse of health benefits?   Why did ancient Greeks describe olive oil as an “elixir of youth and health”?   What are some of the health benefits of this delicious golden oil?   Last week we discussed buying real vs. fake olive oil .   Here are some reasons you should include some olive oil in your daily diet. Heart Health:   The American Heart Association writes about the benefits of adding a drizzle of olive oil to your day.   A 2020 study found that just a half a tablespoon of olive oil a day can lower your risk of heart disease by 14%.     In the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found people who consumed more than a half a tablespoon of olive oil a day had a 19% lower risk of dying from heart disease.   Alzheimer’s Disease:   The 2020 study mentioned above also found that people who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day, had a lower ...

Olive Oil – hopefully you have a bottle in your pantry.   Why?   Because it is a heart healthy oil and an oil with many health benefits.   But to get those health benefits, it needs to be REAL Olive Oil.   You go to the store and find some bargain Olive Oil on sale, good idea or bad idea?   If it is REAL Olive Oil, then you got a bargain.   But if it is FAKE or partially fake, you got cheated.   So how does one know if their Olive Oil is REAL or FAKE?   Is the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) you purchased, really EVOO?   Turns out many people and organizations have studied this.   Food& Wine , the North American Olive Oil Association , and Consumer Reports have provided advice on How to Chooses a Good Olive Oil .       Why is there “FAKE” Olive Oil? PopSugar has a great article, You May Be Buying "Fake" Extra-Virgin Olive Oil.    One country interested in cracking down on “fake” olive oil is Italy...

Blueberries – why are they considered a super healthy food?   Growing up, I went blueberry picking with my grandfather.   At first, more blueberries went into my mouth than into the bucket.   Who knew I was boosting my health every time I went blueberry picking? Why are blueberries so healthy?   What make blueberries a power food?   Health.com discusses the   5 Health Benefits of Blueberries, According to a Nutritionist .   Antioxidants – blueberries are “blue” or some say “purple”.   This coloring means blueberries provide different antioxidants than other colored fruit.   Berries , in particular, have higher antioxidant levels than other fruits.   Antioxidants are great for our health as they help protect our bodies and cells from damage and thus protect us from some diseases and “protect against inflammation ”.   Blueberries provide the antioxidant, anthocyanin which lowers our risk of certain cancers, helps our memories...