The Mediterranean diet's healthy effects can be attributed not only to the relationship between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in olive oil but also to the antioxidant property of its phenolic compounds. The main phenolic compounds, hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, which give extra-virgin olive oil its bitter, pungent taste, have been linked to a lower risk of numerous diseases (1) as well as increased longevity (2). Unfortunately many of the olive oils in supermarkets are low in these healthy antioxidants. Our focus is on grower direct olive oil with the highest antioxidant levels we can find. Typically the oil has on average three to four times the phenolic (antioxidant) levels of the larger supermarket brands.

11 Health Benefits of Olive Oil