It might be hard to believe, but fatty foods can actually be good for us. The truth is that we need fats for many essential roles; without fats in our daily diet, our body isn't able to function optimally. The key is to know what kinds of fats are health-enhancing.

Fats are essential to the diet of humans. They lubricate and insulate joints and intestines, allow for energy storage and hormone production, and strengthen cell membranes and tissues. When consumed in the proper amounts and from healthy sources, they're very powerful anti-inflammatory agents. This can mean fewer instances of "normal" issues like acne and puffy eyes, all the way to more chronic diseases like heart disease and even cancer. Key vitamins A, D, E and K are fat-soluble; they can only be digested and absorbed by our bodies in conjunction with fats.

A vital distinction to note about fats is whether they are cooked or raw. Cooked fats and oils cannot be broken down properly in our bodies, which can then lead to weight gain, acne, inflammation, liver/gallbladder/digestive problems, body odor and nutritional deficiencies. However, when one eats fats in their pure, raw state, the body is able to assimilate them correctly.

Olives are a delicious source of healthy and alkaline plant-based fats, and contain a protein-to-fat ratio that is similar to red meat, but none of the cholesterol. They are particularly high in minerals, calcium, magnesium, vitamins A and E and beautifying oleic acid. Oleic acid is an omega-9 fatty acid that is found in several plant sources.

1. High antioxidant level
2. Ability to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL)
3. Ability to strengthen integrity of cell membranes and repair cell/tissue damage
4. Reducing inflammation of joints
5. Dissolving mucus, thus helping with symptoms of asthma
6. Making hair and nails grow thicker and stronger

Did you know that most olives are picked long before they are truly ripe and can even be softened with chemicals such as lye? Some olives are artificially darkened with an iron compound called ferrous gluconate and all canned olives are pasteurized (cooked).

Our olives are picked when ripe and only cured using traditional and natural methods, such as sea salt brining and oil curing. We have more than 20 varieties of raw olives at Sunfood, and recommend using them in as many different, innovative ways as you can.