Polyphenol Rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Why The Polyphenols In Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Make It So Special

^{Updated July 25th 2024}

What Are Phenolic Compounds?

For clarity, the term “phenolic compound” has become interchangeable with “polyphenols.” These organic compounds, by-products of plant synthesis, are known as phytochemicals. Polyphenols are esteemed for their health-promoting properties and are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, tea, and wine. Additionally, they contribute to the color, flavor, and bitterness of many plant-based foods and beverages, enhancing their nutritional value. However, one of the best sources is in high quality extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold.

Phenolic compounds are found in significant concentrations in certain olive varieties like the Picholine Marrocaine, the only type of olive used for Morocco Gold, when harvested at a very specific time of the year. These extra virgin olive oils are also sometimes referred to as early harvest. Agricultural methods, weather patterns, soil, drainage, harvest time and milling process, storage, and bottling methods affect the polyphenol content of the oil.

Polyphenols are organic compounds produced as by-products of plant synthesis, commonly known as phytochemicals. Renowned for their health-promoting properties, polyphenols are abundant in fruits, vegetables, tea, coffee, and red wine. These compounds possess potent antioxidant properties, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body. Additionally, polyphenols have been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Their anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects further enhance overall health and well-being, making them a vital component of a balanced diet.

Why use polyphenol-rich extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)? It largely depends on your goals. You might use it for everyday culinary purposes, to enhance overall health and wellness, to address specific medical conditions, or for all these reasons. EVOO is not only a flavorful addition to your meals but also a powerhouse of health benefits. Its high polyphenol content provides strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, supporting heart health, aiding in the prevention of chronic diseases, and promoting a healthy immune system.

The European Health Authority has approved health claims for extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

How to take your extra virgin olive oil (EVOO): a ‘shot’ of extra virgin olive oil in the morning can help deliver the health benefits. There are some further health benefits from taking your extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) at bedtime.

A key to achieving this balance is the generations of experience of our olive growers, the care and attention they pay to their crop throughout the whole growing season, and the dedication and attention to detail paid during the harvesting process.

Agricultural methods, weather patterns, soil, drainage, harvest time and milling process, storage, and bottling methods also affect the polyphenol content of the oil.

Why Use Polyphenol Rich Extra Vigin Olive Oil?

It really depends on your objectives; to use it for everyday culinary use, to meet your overall health and wellness objectives or for specific medical conditions or all of these.

European Health Authority Has Approved Health Claims For Extra Virgin Olive Oil

The European Union Health Claim Labelling Regulation 432–2012 states that olive oils with polyphenols of 250 mg/kg or more can claim:

Olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. In order to bear the claim, information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20 gms of olive oil (1 tablespoon is around 14 gms.)

However, it is also very specific about which polyphenols this applies to. It specifically states that this must include hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives, oleuropein and tyrosol. So long as these polyphenols are present, the beneficial effects can be obtained with a daily intake of around 20mg of olive oil.

At this level of polyphenol, 1 tablespoon will have around 7.1 mg/kg (250 / 35). So, to get the health benefits, you would need to take around 3 tablespoons per day. The level of polyphenols present in Morocco Gold is significantly higher than this recommendation at around 644 mg/kg.

Research has shown that the benefits of taking high phenolic olive oil is dose dependent. The higher the concentration of phenolic compounds, the greater the potential health benefit. The upper limit has not been established in research, so it is up to the individual to monitor the body responses to high phenolic olive oil. And, if under medical treatment, to tell the doctor that you are adding this to your daily regimen. High phenolic olive oil is a known blood thinner, and doctors recommend it is not consumed ten days prior to and post-surgery.

Most human research trials showing the effectiveness of high phenolic extra virgin olive oil on such illnesses as Alzheimer’s and Leukemia have used olive oils well above the regulatory 250 mg/kg level. Research also indicates that high phenolic extra virgin olive oil may be a very effective natural blood thinner like ibuprofen, but without the nasty side effects. 

The health benefits of olive oil with high phenolic content have been shown in research to have an immediate effect. This is why you should consult your doctor if you are under medical care as phenolic compounds are anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and also have a blood thinning effect. Doctors recommend cessation of taking high phenolic olive oil ten days prior to and post-surgery. Also in some cases, prescription medication was lowered after introducing high phenolic olive oil to the daily diet.

“The health benefits of olive oil are 99 percent related to the presence of the phenolic compounds, not the oil itself.”

Nasir Malik, Research plant physiologist at the U.S. Agriculture Department.

Polyphenols In Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Are A Known Anti-Inflammatory

Polyphenols are well-known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Both in vitro studies and an increasing number of human trials are investigating the potential benefits of high-phenolic olive oil in alleviating symptoms and providing therapeutic effects for conditions such as Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, type II diabetes, leukemia, and various cancers. Furthermore, this research is expanding to include other common autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases prevalent in today’s society. High-phenolic olive oil shows promise in enhancing overall health, reducing inflammation, and combating oxidative stress, offering hope for better management and prevention of these conditions.

The presence of polyphenols is indicated by the peppery effect on the back of the throat sometimes causing a cough reflex and by the bitterness on the tongue. For people accustomed to purchasing extra virgin olive oils awarded for flavour and aromatic character or a mellow olive oil, these characteristics of pepperiness and bitterness are often mistaken as a flaw in the olive oil when in fact they are hallmarks of high quality.

The presence of polyphenols is indicated by a peppery sensation at the back of the throat, sometimes causing a cough reflex, and by a bitter taste on the tongue. For individuals used to buying extra virgin olive oils prized for their flavor and aromatic character or a mellow taste, these peppery and bitter characteristics are often mistakenly seen as flaws. In reality, they are hallmarks of high-quality olive oil, reflecting the rich, complex compounds that contribute to both health benefits and the distinctive taste profile of premium olive oil.

Storage and transportation are key factors in the optimum integrity of polyphenol rich extra virgin olive oil. It has been found that the phenolic content tends to have a preservative affect and drops very little in the space of a year if the olive oil has been properly stored in tanks, sealed and kept below 16 degrees Celsius prior to bottling.

How To Take Your Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) To Obtain The Health Benefits

Whether you are an avid follower of The Mediterranean Diet or not, you may have heard the news that a shot of olive oil a day can keep the doctor away. Is it a myth, or is there hard evidence proving that two tablespoons of olive oil a day can reduce the risk of various life-threatening conditions, including heart disease and high LDL cholesterol?

Mostly everyone who has ever read about a diet or has looked up healthy food recipes is familiar with extra virgin olive oil, one of the best sources of monounsaturated fatty acids around. But the benefits of extra virgin olive oil like Morocco Gold are much more than just protecting the heart from disease risk. The demand for high-quality extra virgin olive oil has increased in the last few years, thanks to growth in the health-conscious populace of the world. But did you know that drinking a shot of extra virgin olive oil first thing in the morning has a lot of health benefits too? Due to the numerous health benefits of extra virgin olive oil, it is typically used in cooking, but eating or drinking it raw is even healthier. A lot of health experts recommend drinking extra virgin olive oil in the morning, here’s why:

Benefits Of Drinking Olive Oil In The Morning

A healthy and nutritious breakfast, like a plant-based or Mediterranean diet, can help increase your chances of living a long and healthy life, according to a recent article from wellandgood.com.

Based on the findings of author Dan Buettner, whose pioneering research on longevity hotspots or ‘blue zones’ lifts the lid on how we can potentially extend our life quality and duration, the article recommends a breakfast of foods that reduce blood pressure and cholesterol as one of 4 key choices.

The Mediterranean diet, well-known for its focus on healthy monounsaturated fats like those found in extra virgin olive oil, is celebrated for its ability to help prevent various diseases, including cardiovascular disease and stroke. This diet emphasizes a high intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes, contributing significantly to its health benefits. It also recommends moderate consumption of fish and poultry while limiting red meat and processed foods. The combination of these nutrient-rich foods not only supports heart health but also promotes overall well-being and longevity. Research has shown that following the Mediterranean diet can reduce inflammation and improve brain function, making it an excellent choice for a balanced and nutritious lifestyle.

Also listed in the article, entitled 4 Morning Habits of the Longest-Living People in the World, are:

• Finding your ‘ikigai’ (the Japanese concept of what drives you to get up and out of bed in the morning).
• Enjoying, a cup of morning coffee – ideally with a plant-based milk alternative and natural sweetener.
• Say something nice to the first person you see. Self- explanatory this one, but Buettner starts each morning by literally complimenting others.
• A shot of olive oil in the morning

If you like the sound of Buettner’s teachings and want to incorporate a Mediterranean start to your day, one of the best ways to do so is by drinking a shot of extra virgin olive oil first thing in the morning. This is a quick and easy way to boost your daily intake of antioxidants and healthy fats.

Taking Extra Virgin Olive Oil At Bedtime: Some Further Health Benefits

Those who suffer from sleep deprivation may benefit from the following medicinal qualities in a high-quality extra virgin olive oil. What can 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil do to get rid of insomnia?

Olive oil can help you fall asleep and sleep better in one of a few ways. First, a high-quality extra virgin olive oil can help you relax by reducing everyday inflammation, which can often be a source of restlessness and difficulty in falling asleep. Additionally, the healthy fats in olive oil support the production of serotonin and melatonin, hormones that regulate sleep patterns.

If you spend your days working or frequently exercising at a fitness center, you might be experiencing some level of inflammation. Inflammation is a significant factor contributing to an increased heart rate. Consuming high-quality extra virgin olive oil can help reduce inflammation, thereby slowing down your heart rate and promoting overall cardiovascular health.

Pre-sleep extra virgin olive oil treatment is being suggested to those with insomnia who would like to be able to fall asleep as well as improve the quality of the given rest throughout the night. The anti-inflammatory health benefit is possible once good olive oil is taken consistently before retiring at night. Unlike some kinds of vitamins, this anti-inflammatory effect of the olive oil will not at all take long to commence functionality and promote sleep health realignment.

Secondly, extra virgin olive oil helps as a natural remedy by bringing balance to blood sugar levels that are above the average. With a high blood sugar count being a form of vasoconstriction and heart rate excitation, olive oil helping resolve this challenge is a major player in helping one fall asleep and stay asleep for a healthy amount of time.

Thirdly, the polyphenols in a high-quality extra virgin olive oil as a sleep remedy help remove a nasty molecule in your body called free radicals that can ricochet around inside your body and harm good cells. Polyphenols are a potent antioxidant, one that can work to neutralize free radicals, protecting the body from their harmful effects whilst you sleep.

Consuming olive oil at bedtime can significantly aid in inducing relaxation, primarily by cleansing the body of free radicals. This soothing effect takes place almost immediately. The process of eliminating free radicals is exhausting for the body, so, naturally, consuming high-quality extra virgin olive oil can help you feel more tired and calm. Additionally, the healthy fats in olive oil support brain function and overall health, contributing to a sense of well-being. Over time, regular consumption may improve sleep patterns and enhance your nightly rest, making it an excellent addition to your bedtime routine.