Olive Oil and Longevity

There was a recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC) last year where researchers analyzed data from two long-term health studies tracking the health of over 90,000 participants over 28 years. They specifically looked at the participants' diets and found that those who consumed higher amounts of olive oil had a 19% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, a 17% lower risk of dying from cancer, a 29% lower risk of dying from neurodegenerative diseases, and an 18% lower risk of dying from respiratory illnesses. Interestingly, swapping out just 10 grams a day of fats like margarine and butter for olive oil could lead to up to a 34% lower risk of dying.

Another article in Life Extension magazine states

"Olive Oil Markedly Extends Human Lifespan"

"Extra virgin olive oil lowers risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, and Alzheimer’s while boosting bone health. In a long-term clinical study, those who ingested the most olive oil-derived polyphenols lived 9.5 years longer (after age 65).

Unrefined extra virgin olive oil, a chief component of the Mediterranean diet, has been given significant credit for the diet’s health-promoting ability, especially with its rich polyphenol content. Today, substantial new findings further validate extra virgin olive oil’s benefits for cardiovascular, bone, and brain health. Several of these studies were large-scale clinical trials on humans.

One study in particular caught mainstream media attention. This study, with nearly 19,000 participants, showed that those who consumed the highest quality foods, and who most closely adhered to a true Mediterranean diet, were the ones who were most likely to derive the benefits, including sharp reductions in coronary heart disease and stroke.

In a study conducted in Italy, almost 19,000 people were assessed to determine their adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet. The researchers discovered that people who derived the greatest health benefits ingested higher concentrations of micronutrients such as polyphenols.

One of the greatest sources of polyphenols in the Mediterranean diet stems from extra virgin olive oil. Olive oil that is not extra virgin is commercially produced in a way that degrades the polyphenols.

In addition, a large quantity of supposed extra virgin olive oil is counterfeit and does not meet the legal grades to be considered extra virgin. These counterfeit oils have even been refined and adulterated with pro-inflammatory fats such as corn, safflower, and sunflower oils. It is estimated that this is the case in 50% of the extra virgin olive oil sold in Italy, which implies that greater health benefits could be attained if purveyors of counterfeit olive oil were stopped. The situation is even worse in America, where an estimated 80% of extra virgin olive oil does not meet the legal grades to be called extra virgin."

The full article is here  https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2018/1/olive-oil-markedly-extends-human-lifespan

If you are interested in trying some olive oil that has high antioxidant or polyphenol levels our highest at the moment is 579mg/kg - compared to the average supermarket brands which have about 100mg/kg. The concept with our oil is that because you don't use much per serve - its better to use an oil which has higher levels of beneficial phenolics. Also from the same direction - if you spend $20 on a bottle of wine which lasts umm ok ... then it makes sense to spend the same on olive oil which is more beneficial and lasts longer. (and adds to the length of your life!)

Can Olive Oil Help Protect Your Brain As You Age?

A new study published in the journal Microbiome followed 656 older adults over a two-year period and examined the relationship between olive oil consumption, gut bacteria and cognitive function.

Researchers found that people who consumed more virgin olive oil tended to maintain better cognitive function over time. They also had a more diverse gut microbiome, which is increasingly being recognised as an important part of the connection between gut health and brain health.

Interestingly, the benefits were strongest for virgin olive oil, which naturally contains higher levels of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds that are largely removed during refining.

The researchers concluded that higher polyphenol olive oil consumption was associated with better preservation of cognitive function, possibly through positive effects on the gut microbiome.

While no single food is a magic bullet, studies like this continue to highlight why traditional Mediterranean diets rich in high-quality extra virgin olive oil are associated with healthy ageing.

Read the study:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41578342/

  • " I just wanted to let you know that we received the olive oil and it is, without a single doubt, the best olive oil we've ever tasted! Absolutely extraordinary!

    Skye D., Brisbane

  • "Thank you -- the oil is currently being added to every salad and we have salad most nights - DEEE licious!"

    Sharon E,. Clifton Springs

  • "Blackwood Valley olive oil is simply the finest olive oil I’ve yet tasted, deliciously smooth, with a strong peppery taste."

    - Trevor W,. Perth

Why High Antioxidant Olive Oil

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.

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**Health Disclaimer:** Our Extra Virgin Olive Oil is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this page relates only to the inclusion of antioxidant-rich olive oil as part of a healthy, balanced diet. Always consult with your healthcare professional before making any changes to your diet or medical regimen.