Liquid gold: great news, olive oil fans--new research and supplement options provide even more reasons to pour it on.(10 WAYS SUPPLEMENTS)

When it comes to olive oil, flavor and healthful antioxidants go hand in hand, and there are plenty of ways to benefit from this age-old culinary staple.

1. LOOK FOR LOW ACIDITY

In olive oil, less acidity means more antioxidants. The label should state the acidity level. Extra virgin olive oil--the most nutritious--usually contains 0.8 percent acidity or less, virgin olive oil usually contains 2 percent or less and other olive oils, which may be refined with chemicals to disguise rancidity, impurities and unpleasant taste, have higher acidity.

2. GIVE YOUR HEART EXTRA VIRGIN

Olive oil increases good cholesterol and decreases unhealthful triglycerides in proportion to its antioxidant content, according to a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Another study, published in Atherosclerosis, found that only extra virgin olive oil reduced inflammation, higher levels of which have been linked to increased risk of heart disease.

3. CHECK OUT CALIFORNIA

California produces 99 percent of file olive oil in the United States. Most of the state's producers belong to the California Olive Oil Council (COOC), an organization that sets distinct quality standards: Members' extra virgin olive oil must be tested for purity and freshness and have an acidity level of 0.5 percent or lower, which means it contains high levels of antioxidants. A COOC seal on a bottle means the olive oil has met these standards.