The Mediterranean Diet Pyramid underlines the importance of the foods making up the principal food groups. Each of these individual food groups offers some, but not all, of the nutrients one needs. Food from one group cannot replace that of another group. All the groups are necessary for a healthy diet. Olive oil is widely recognized for its healthy benefits and versatility in cooking and preparing foods. Extra virgin olive oil is a rich source of numerous compounds, including polyphenols, with: ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY and ANTI-MICROBIAL properties.