The health benefits of olive oil

Olive oil and wellness



Do you believe that olive oil is beneficial to you? Well, you're not wrong! Decades ago, scientists discovered that olive oil contains a series of substances that have significant health benefits when consumed as a part of a varied diet and a healthy lifestyle. This is recognized by the European Union, which allows these benefits to be named when presenting and advertising the product for the consumer's knowledge. These are what are known as health claims. The European Union recognizes four health claims applicable to olive oil:


1. Substituting unsaturated for saturated fat in the diet has been shown to lower blood cholesterol. A high level of cholesterol is a risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Both oleic and linoleic acid are unsaturated fats, and together, they account for more than 70% of the average composition of olive oil, providing more than 20% of the product’s energy value. Therefore, they more than meet the legal conditions to use this claim. However, we must bear in mind that coronary heart disease has multiple risk factors and altering one of them may or may not have a beneficial impact.

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1226/2014 of November 17, 2014, on the authorization of a health claim made on foods and referring to the reduction of disease risk...

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Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to “low fat and low trans spreadable fat rich in unsaturated and omega-3 fatty acids”...

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2. Swapping saturated fats for unsaturated fats in the diet helps to maintain normal blood cholesterol levels. Oleic acid is an unsaturated fat.

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 432/2012 of May 16, 2012, establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health...

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Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to oleic acid intended to replace saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in foods or diets and maintenance of normal blood LDL‐cholesterol concentrations...

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Olive oil consumption helps to maintain good cardiovascular health.

3. Olive oil contains polyphenols. Olive oil polyphenols help to protect blood lipids from oxidative damage.

This claim is exclusive to olive oil. European legislation clarifies that a beneficial impact is achieved from a daily intake of 20 grams of extra virgin or virgin olive oil. It establishes that only extra virgin or virgin olive oils containing at least 5 milligrams of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (oleuropein and tyrosol) per 20 grams can make use of this claim.

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 432/2012 of May 16, 2012, establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health...

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Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to polyphenols in olive and protection of LDL particles from oxidative damage (ID 1333, 1638, 1639, 1696, 2865), maintenance of normal...

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4. A natural source of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps to protect cells from oxidative damage.

To use this claim, extra virgin or virgin olive oil must provide at least 1.8 milligrams per 100 grams or 100 ml (15% of the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of this vitamin, which is 12 milligrams).

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 432/2012 of May 16, 2012, establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health...

Read more

Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to polyphenols in olive and protection of LDL particles from oxidative damage (ID 1333, 1638, 1639, 1696, 2865), maintenance of normal...

Read more
The natural antioxidants in extra virgin olive oil provide protection from oxidative damage caused by external agents, such as radiation and pollutants.
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