Extra Virgin Olive Oil: A longevity staple
Feel sharper, age stronger, and reduce inflammation with EVOO.
Every month, I spotlight one functional food, which is a powerful food that offers incredible benefits for health and longevity. This month, we're highlighting extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)—one of the most potent and well-studied examples of a food with therapeutic properties. Just 1–3 tablespoons a day has been linked to better brain health, reduced inflammation, improved cardiovascular markers, stronger bones, and healthier aging overall.
EVOO is rich in polyphenols, compounds known to control inflammation, protect the brain, support gut health, and even activate key cellular pathways involved in aging and repair.
It’s a cornerstone of the Mediterranean diet—one of the most extensively studied eating patterns in the world. In regions like Crete and southern Italy, where high-quality olive oil is consumed daily and in generous amounts, people tend to live longer, have lower rates of chronic disease, and maintain sharper cognitive function as they age. Many researchers credit olive oil as one of the primary drivers behind these health outcomes.