11. Olive Oil
Another common ingredient in the Mediterranean diet is olive oil. This monounsaturated fat is widely used for both cooking and salad oil and may be a cancer-fighting food. Breast cancer rates are 50% lower in Mediterranean countries than in the United States.
Eating a healthy diet with olive oil as the main source of fat could considerably lower cancer incidence and notably help prevent breast and colon cancer. Olive oil is packed with vitamins and antioxidants that help the body eliminate the toxins responsible for damaging our DNA and inducing cancer.
Make sure you buy qualitative 100% extra virgin olive oil as research has found that extra virgin olive oil is rich in oleocanthal, the ingredient protecting against cancer. Where extra virgin olive oils seem to wipe out cancer cells, non-extra virgin olive oils don’t appear to have any effect on cancer cells. However, bear in mind that research is still ongoing, and while olive oil has proved to be an active food to prevent cancer, it’s way too soon to conclude that olive oil can treat or cure cancer. Pop some olive oil in your salads and use it as a cooking oil.
