Olive oil is a delicious superfood and one of my favorite ingredients ever—here’s why: 

Olive oil is nature’s medicine

Linked with a lower risk of premature death, cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, type 2 diabetes, and rheumatoid arthritis, extra virgin olive oil is a gut health staple that I recommend to everyone. It is an excellent source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and healthy fats. 

Standout antioxidants oleocanthal, polyphenols, chlorophyll, vitamin E, squalene, lutein, and beta-carotene neutralize free radicals and mitigate oxidative stress, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of DNA. Oleocanthal is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse that has been called nature’s ibuprofen. Polyphenols are bioactive antioxidants that improve digestion, cognitive function, mood, blood vessel function, and weight management. The anti-inflammatory effects of polyphenols on the brain may positively influence mood.

Omega-3 fatty acids & monounsaturated fats are linked to better heart health, skin health, brain health, neurotransmitter function, and blood sugar regulation.

The full spectrum of the healing properties in olive oil are exclusive to the highest authentic grade, carefully and minimally processed to preserve maximum nutritional and aromatic potency.

Shayna’s Kitchen EU Certified Organic Ancient Italian Olive Oil contains one ingredient only: cold pressed extra virgin olive oil with medicinal polyphenol levels from the single estate, centuries old olive groves of my very own biodynamic farm in Umbria, Italy. 

5 Ways To Use Olive Oil

Experience the health and beauty benefits of olive oil with these 5 easy recipes!

1. Gut Health Olive Oil Lemon Shot

Start every morning with a toast to health, wellness, beauty, happiness, abundance, balance, and authenticity! 

My gut health morning shot combines 2 simple ingredients: the juice of half of a lemon and 1-2 tbsp of my cold pressed extra virgin olive oil. 

Taken on an empty stomach, the lemon juice alkalizes the pH of your gut and improves nutrient absorption while the olive oil promotes gut microbiome diversity and protects your stomach lining before your first meal. 

As a source of oleuropein, a compound that has been explored for metabolic boosting potential, olive oil on an empty stomach can stimulate the digestive system and aid bowel movement. 

2. Olive Oil Lemon Cake

Everyone loves dessert, especially cake! My gluten-free and refined-sugar-free Italian Style Olive Oil Cake features the delicious aromas of rosemary and citrus. I made this recipe on live cooking segments, showing the distinctive green color of my olive oil, using a lot to give this cake its creamy texture. 

What also makes this cake special is the essence that is unique to the highest grade of olive oil, cold pressed extra virgin, which has the perfect multidimensional balance of fruity, bitter, and spicy notes. 

3. Olive Oil Coffee Cinnamon Body Scrub

You may already have coffee, cinnamon, and olive oil in your kitchen—but have you tried mixing them together for an at-home spa day? This nourishing Olive Oil Coffee Cinnamon Body Scrub helps to reduce inflammation and hyperpigmentation, encouraging collagen production over time.

As coffee grounds exfoliate to reveal glowier and more youthful skin texture, olive oil adds hydration, repairs skin tissue damage, strengthens elasticity, and revitalizes skin tone. Cinnamon helps to boost radiance and circulation. It’s anti-microbial and smells amazing in the shower.

I love to indulge in this luxurious and all-natural beauty treatment on a weekly basis. 

4. Cacao Olive Oil Matcha Latte

My Cacao Olive Oil Matcha Latte is a creamy and chocolatey alternative to coffee. 

This latte is similar to the trend of olive oil in coffee, but matcha is a source of caffeine that offers a more sustained energy boost without the crash, thanks to L-theanine, an amino acid that promotes calm, relaxation, and focus. Ceremonial matcha is more gut-friendly and tends to be gentler on digestion than coffee. Shayna’s Kitchen Certified Organic Elevated Morning Ritual Matcha is rich in antioxidants, particularly EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate), which is known to promote positive gut health. 

For maximum nutritional benefits, and a rich blend of subtle fruit notes of olive oil with earthy flavors of matcha, this latte calls for the organic and highest grade of each ingredient: matcha that is ceremonial, olive oil that is cold pressed and extra virgin, and cacao that is raw. 

5. Olive Oil Chestnut Cake

For health conscious foodies with an extra sweet tooth, my Olive Oil Chestnut Cake is another gluten-free and refined-sugar-free dessert that features olive oil with a harmonious blend of rich and nutty chestnut flour and delicately sweet Verna flour. 

Chestnut flour is naturally gluten-free, and Verna flour contains less than 1% gluten—both are gut-friendly and excellent for those with celiac disease! I discovered Verna flour in Italy, and it’s fantastic not only as a cake base but also for making Italian pasta from scratch.

Give these recipes a try and tag me! https://instagram.com/shaynateresetaylor

More of my gut-healthy, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free recipes: https://shaynaskitchen.com/recipes/  

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