Why do we love olive oil?

Did you know that the average Yale student consumes 5.2 liters of olive oil annually? The national average is 1.1 liters per person. Not only is olive oil delicious, it’s protective and heart healthy! Olive oil has a high amount of polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant. Polyphenols aid in preventing and reducing the progression of diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases. They also play an important role as a prebiotic. Prebiotics increase the ration of beneficial bacteria which is important for health, weight management, and disease prevention. Olive oil is also rich in monosaturated fat. This type of fat aids in the reduction of bad cholesterol levels in your blood which can lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Olive oil is an essential part of the Mediterranean Diet, a diet Yale Hospitality is passionate about. The partnerships we’ve developed with several supporters of the diet have led us to see benefits of improved health outcomes and longevity for those practicing this lifestyle.