Medical professionals and dieticians have long championed the health benefits contained in olive oil, and it remains a key ingredient of the Mediterranean diet.

A fat with high amounts of antioxidants, olive oil helps protect heart and blood cells, and drinking it each day is good for cardiovascular well-being, according to Livestrong.

Heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and some forms of cancer are among the conditions that can be helped by including olive oil to a diet, according to oliveoiltimes.com.

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Consumption may also help spur weight loss and pain relief, though Livestrong notes that olive oil should be taken in moderation because of its high caloric content.

A study published in the June 2010 issue of Journal of Women's Health examined whether an olive oil-rich diet facilitated weight loss, and concluded that an olive oil-rich diet prompted more weight loss than a lower-fat diet during an eight-week stretch.

A study published in the British Journal of Medicine found that extra virgin olive oil contains the compound oleocanthal, which acts in ways similar to pain the medication Ibuprofen.

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In 2004, the Food and Drug Administration allowed a qualified health claim from the North American Olive Oil Association that roughly two tablespoons of monosaturated fatty acids from olive oil each day may decrease the risk of coronary heart disease.

Livestrong warns that drinking large amounts of olive oil could cause an accidental Vitamin E overdose, which may then make it more difficult the body to form blood clots. And at 120 calories per tablespoon, calories add up fast.

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