Drop Blood Pressure

You've likely heard that the Mediterranean diet is good for your heart and your brain. Now new research indicates that the olive oil in the diet should get part of the credit due to its ability to lower blood pressure.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that 25 ml (4 teaspoons) of olive oil daily reduced blood pressure in men who were previously not eating a Mediterranean diet. In fact, among the 110 men in the study, blood pressure dropped an average of 3 percent over the nine-week study period.

Researchers believe a compound called oleic acid - a monounsaturated fat that makes up 55-85 percent of olive oil - is responsible for the benefit.

So go ahead and splurge on some good, organic extra virgin olive oil. You'll get the most health benefits when you use it cold - drizzled over salads, roasted veggies, and the like - instead of cooking with it.