High Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Myconos Edition, The Dwarf King Vendema

High Phenolic Olive Oils are those Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO’s) that contain a high percentage of phenolic compounds, called polyphenols which are directly related to the health benefits of olive oil. According to the EU Health Claim Labeling Regulation (432/2012), the claim may be used only for olive oil which contains at least 5mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (e.g. oleuropein complex and tyrosol) per 20g of olive oil. The beneficial effect for the consumers is obtained with a daily intake of 20g of olive oil (2tbs). This daily intake of high phenolic olive oil contributes to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. UC Davis, Harvard University, and many other research centers in the world embrace this idea and have backed it up with many researches over the last ten years.

Polyphenol – rich Olive Oils have been found to help:

· lower blood pressure

· protect the arteries from damage

· lower bad cholesterol

· reduce the risk for type II diabetes

· prevent many types of cancer

· prevent strokes

· fight premature aging

· decrease the risk of depression and dementia

· slow the progression of Alzheimer’s up to 40%

· reduce inflammations in the body

What are the phenolic compounds?

These are the organic compounds that are the by-products of plant synthesis and are known as phytochemicals. Polyphenols are regarded for their health-promoting properties and are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds and legumes, beverages (coffee, tea, and wine), fats (olive oil) as well as in spices. However, there are phenolic compounds unique to olive oil that only occur during the malaxation process. There are 36 known phenolic compounds in olive oil. The two most widely researched for their health-protective benefits are Oleocanthal and Oleacein which are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

The presence of Oleocanthal is indicated by the peppery effect on the back of the throat sometimes causing a cough reflex. Oleacein is known for its bitterness on the tongue. For people accustomed to purchasing olive oils from the supermarket, these characteristics of pepperiness and bitterness are often mistaken as a defect in the olive oil.

Phenolic content varies according to olive variety, time of harvest, milling procedures, soil condition, and weather patterns. For example, bio-diversity within the grove adds to the richness of the soil and the nutrition available to the olive fruit. Rains, drought, or winds have a greater or lesser impact on phenolic content and the amount of olive oil produced depending on when they occur during olive fruit maturation.