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Olive oil is very healthy because it mainly contains monounsaturated fats, which can help reduce your risk of heart disease. In order to get the benefits from this oil, here are five mistakes to avoid.

1. Buying the "light" version to save calories

The "light" version olive oil has a different flavor to other types of olive oil due to that fact that it is more refined. However, just because the word light is in it, it does not mean that this type of olive oil has fewer calories.

2. Not cooking with extra-virgin olive oil

People believe that extra-virgin olive oil can only be used in dressings and other meals that do not require cooking. Although extra-virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point, you can still sauté food with it. Since extra-virgin olive oil is the most pure form of olive oil and has many healthy benefits, using it more often than other kinds of olive oil can be heart healthy.

3. Throwing out oil that tastes bitter

Just because olive oil might start tasting bitter, it does not necessarily mean that the bottle has gone bad. A slight bitter taste can come from the antioxidants that are in the oil.

4. Keeping it by the stove

Never keep olive oil near the stove. The heat and the light can make the oil go bad really quickly. To properly store it, put olive oil in a dark-colored glass and keep it in a cool area away from direct sunlight.

5. Stocking up

Since olive oil does not have a long shelf life relative to other oils, buying them in bulk is not a good idea even if the price is good. Olive oil typically lasts about six weeks.