Olive Oil and the Brain

I understand you prefer a plant-based menu. So are olives and olive oil part of that?

Olives and olive oil are part of my plant-based menus, and that is partly because they are said to be a good source of the protective polyphenol Hydroxytyrosol, which can cross the Blood Brain Barrier. Thus the brain can be nurtured as well as the body. I grew up liking only black olives. However, I am now learning to like green ripe olives as they are said to contain higher levels of polyphenol. Having said that, olives are also relatively high in fats, as are avocados. So my bottom line is “everything in moderation.” Just because something has been linked with better health for brain and body, more is not likely better—it’s just more. And if it is a high-calorie food, less is typically more.