Is Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil The Healthiest Olive Oil?

The Health Benefits of Polyphenols in Olive Oil 

Not all oils are created equal, especially not when it comes to their impact on your health. While health risks are associated with many mass-produced and low-quality cooking oils, high-quality olive oils like extra virgin olive oil, or “EVOO,” can provide significant health benefits. Within the category of EVOOs, the oils that offer the strongest array of health benefits are those richest in polyphenols, high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oils, or “HP-EVOOs.” From boosting metabolic and skin health to reducing the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease, the health benefits of polyphenols in olive oil present a strong case for making polyphenol-rich olive oil a staple in your diet. 

What is Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil?

An olive oil must meet strict criteria for taste and acidity in order to be designated an extra virgin olive oil. As a result, EVOOs are celebrated for their superior taste, often described as peppery or grassy, and their outstanding health benefits, such as their high concentration of antioxidants. EVOOs are the primary fat included in the Mediterranean diet, lauded by many health care experts and dieticians as among the healthiest dietary lifestyles. 

Much of the credit for the health benefits of EVOOs can be attributed to polyphenols, naturally occurring antioxidants in plants that help prevent disease and slow aging. Polyphenols are the compounds that help plants fight off threats like UV rays and insects, and they also benefit the humans who consume plant-based products. Polyphenols are found in many obvious plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, but also in more surprising indulgences including red wine, chocolate, and extra virgin olive oil. 

The olive oil we produce at Frantoio Grove is rich in polyphenols, making it not just an EVOO, but an HP-EVOO. We aim for a high but not overpowering concentration of polyphenols in the range of 300-400 ppm, which results in an HP-EVOO bursting with health benefits yet balanced in flavor. We are proud of our process for crafting high-polyphenol olive oil which begins with growing strong and healthy olive trees and extends to our careful harvesting, milling, and storage practices, all aimed at preserving the delicate polyphenols that set our olive oil apart. 

Metabolism, Free Radicals, and Oxidative Stress 

In order to explain how polyphenol-rich olive oil can benefit your health, we first need to dive into a little bit of biology. When we metabolize food, the fat, protein, and carbohydrate molecules that we consume are broken down into energy at the cellular level. This process takes place in the mitochondria and requires oxygen which comes from the air we breathe. 

A byproduct of this normal metabolic process is free radical molecules, molecules that are missing an electron. Since electrons usually come in pairs, free radicals are considered unstable. In an effort to restabilize, free radicals attempt to steal electrons from other molecules in the cell. This damaging process of electron theft is known as oxidation. 

When a free radical successfully oxidizes (i.e. steals an electron from) a neighboring molecule, the neighboring molecule is thrown out of balance and becomes a new free radical. In turn, this new free radical seeks an electron to steal in order to stabilize itself. A chain reaction of oxidation continues, causing significant damage to the cell over time. Free radicals are indeed a cause for concern as too much oxidation and cell damage results in oxidative stress, which can present itself in the body as a number of health issues including: 

• Cancer 

• Alzheimer’s Disease 
  

• Heart Disease

• Early Aging

• Inflammation 

Scary as oxidative stress may seem, free radicals aren’t all bad; in moderation they can even help fight infection and encourage cell repair. However, increased risk occurs when healthy foods aren’t our only source of free radicals. All too often, unstable free radical molecules also enter our bodies through outside factors including:

• Unhealthy foods 

• Air pollution

• Tobacco smoke

• UV radiation

• Toxic chemicals

How can we prevent the negative effects of oxidative stress? The answer lies in a diet full of antioxidants such the polyphenols found in HP-EVOO.

Polyphenol-Rich Olive Oil Offers Better Antioxidant Protection

Eating a diet rich in antioxidants is one of the best ways to combat oxidative stress. Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenols help neutralize the free radicals present in your cells. Because antioxidants are very stable molecules, they are able to give up electrons to stabilize free radicals without becoming free radicals themselves. In this way, antioxidants prevent chains of oxidative stress that cause chronic disease. 

Happily, it’s not hard to add antioxidants to your diet. These helpful compounds are present in fruits, vegetables, nuts, grains, and, of course, high-quality extra virgin olive oils. 

How Adding HP-EVOO To Your Diet Can Improve Heart Health

Oxidation and free radicals are also behind the build up of bad cholesterol that is notorious for causing poor cardiovascular health. When free radicals react with low-density lipoproteins, known as LDLs or bad cholesterol molecules, they create unstable oxidized cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol accumulates in the arteries, forming plaques. LDL oxidation is therefore associated with heart and vascular diseases including stroke and heart attacks. 

The polyphenols occurring naturally in high-quality, carefully-produced olive oil can mitigate the extent of LDL oxidation, thereby improving blood vessel function and supporting heart health. 

The benefits of regular extra virgin olive oil consumption are supported by the results of scientific study. In 2013, a study by the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that study participants who were prescribed a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts experienced a 30% lower instance of cardiovascular disease. The PREDIMED study was revisited and republished in 2018, reinforcing the validity of its initial findings. 

Olive Oil Polyphenols Have Anti-Inflammatory Effects 

When the body is infected or injured, inflammation is nature’s response. As soon as the body registers the injury or infection, it releases signaling molecules that prompt the immune system to increase blood flow and white blood cell activity. 

Chronic inflammation differs from the healthy inflammation; it occurs when the body continues to release signaling molecules long after the immediate injury or infection has been resolved. Chronic inflammation is a common effect of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis which are associated with increased production of free radicals. When these excess free radicals oxidize specific proteins in the body, they release inflammatory signaling molecules, causing long-term inflammation to ensue. 

Chronic inflammation brings with it the full roster of health risks associated with oxidative stress. Luckily, as antioxidants, olive oil polyphenols have been found to reduce systemic inflammation throughout the body. Recent studies have even begun to explore the ways in which dietary polyphenols can behave similarly to anti-inflammatory NSAID drugs such as ibuprofen or aspirin. Like NSAIDs, polyphenols have been found to inhibit the production of inflammatory signaling molecules, thereby mitigating unhealthy inflammation. 

Olive Oil Polyphenols Boost Brain Health

The brain is not spared the health risks that come with oxidative stress. In fact, the brain is particularly susceptible to oxidative stress because its cells process so much oxygen on a regular basis.When too much oxidative damage occurs in the brain, it can lead to complications as serious as cognitive impairment, dementia, and even Alzheimer’s disease. 

Just as HP-EVOO helps fight off heart disease and inflammation, it can do wonders for brain health. Its antioxidative properties protect the brain from degeneration and damage. A recent study of the Mediterranean diet even found that replacing one teaspoon of margarine or mayonnaise with extra virgin olive oil was associated with an 8–14% reduced risk of dying from dementia. 

In addition to benefiting from the polyphenols in olive oil, the brain also benefits from the oleic acid naturally found in olive oil. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid that behaves like an antioxidant, combating cell damage and oxidative stress. Thanks to the combination of polyphenols and oleic acid, a diet rich in extra virgin olive oil can be said to support brain health and prevent cognitive diseases. 

Can EVOO Provide Cancer Support?

Many researchers hypothesize that the polyphenols found in olive oil can help treat and prevent cancers. Oleocanthal, a type of polyphenol found only in olive oil, is a particular candidate for laboratory testing. In several studies, oleocanthal has been found to destroy cancer cells without harming the neighboring healthy cells. Oleocanthal weakens lysosomes, the parts of the cell responsible for storing toxins and waste. Lysosomes are particularly prevalent in cancer cells, making cancer cells uniquely susceptible to the effects of oleocanthal. 

Another recent study indicates that the polyphenols present in olive oil may be able to combat neuroblastoma, a cancer that threatens children. However, additional research will be necessary to definitively confirm that olive oil polyphenols can inhibit tumor growth in humans.  

Improving Metabolic Health with EVOO 

Several clinical trials support the hypothesis that the oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol in extra virgin olive oil support insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation. Insulin is the hormone that helps human bodies regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin disorders such as hyperglycemia and diabetes occur when the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t respond properly to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. In addition to directly supporting insulin sensitivity and combating insulin resistance, the anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols can improve insulin processing in the body. 

Furthermore, regular consumption of HP-EVOOS have been found to help reduce central fat and improve body composition over time. Clinical studies indicate that HP-EVOOs not only enhance weight loss efforts in obese patients, but can also reduce visceral fat, the type of fat that is stored deep in the abdomen alongside our organs. Visceral fat is closely linked to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. 

Consuming Antioxidant-Rich Olive Oil Supports Skin Health 

When ingested, high-polyphenol olive oil can boost skin appearance and health. The polyphenols in olive oil work alongside the antioxidant compound squalene, to support the skin’s capacity to retain water and remain hydrated. Furthermore, the anti-inflammatory properties of HP-EVOO reduce inflammation throughout the body, including in the face, resulting in smoother, healthier skin. Olive oil has even been found to reduce the effects of sun damage such as wrinkles and other signs of early aging. 

While olive oil is also a popular ingredient in topical skincare products, these products aren’t necessarily compatible with all skin types. Ingesting HP-EVOO remains the best way to take advantage of the full spectrum of skin health benefits that EVOO polyphenols provide. Plus, it tastes great! 

Make High-Polyphenol Olive Oils from Frantoio Grove Part of Your Everyday Diet 

Despite being recognized as the healthiest fat you can consume, high polyphenol olive oils aren't always easy to find. High quality EVOOS require careful methods of harvesting, production, and storage. In order to make sure you’re purchasing bona fide HP-EVOO, pay close attention to the following: 

• The freshness of the olive oil: Young oil is richest in polyphenols. Check the date on the bottle. 

• The storage of the oil: Look for oils stored in dark bottles as sunlight can cause olive oil to oxidize in the bottle, limiting its capacity as an antioxidant.   

• The origin of the oil: Seek out small producers who harvest organic and regenerative farms as opposed to mass-produced oils. 

• The results of lab tests: The best producers will share their third party lab results. For example, our 2024 Frantoio Grove EVOO lab test showed 428 ppm, designating it very high in polyphenols.  

Lastly, we like to say that there’s no point in buying polyphenol rich olive oil if you don’t actually use it! In order to reap all the health benefits of our HP-EVOO, it’s essential to make it part of your every day diet. We highly recommend checking out our recipes collection which showcases the versatility and flavor of our exceptional olive oils.