Amazing Olive Oil Benefits, How to Spot Fake Olive Oil

Some recent studies are showing that olive oil can help (a lot!) with cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It can help with diabetes. It can reduce inflammation and the chance of strokes.

But much of the olive oil in stores, including those labeled “Extra Virgin”, are cut with other vegetable oils. Read the article below to get the full story on the amazing benefits of olive oil, how to buy REAL olive oil, and how to test what you have to see if it’s OK.

The Amazing Benefits of Olive Oil (Be Aware of Fake Olive Oil)

Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP

Olive Oil is considered a superfood source.

It is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats. The key fatty acid in olive oil is oleic acid. This fatty acid has been found to be responsible for lowering inflammation.

Research also suggests that oleic acid can reduce levels of important inflammatory markers like high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Interleukin-6.

Reduced Stroke Events Associated with Consumption of Olive Oil

Thirty-two cohort studies (42 reports), including 841,211 subjects found that olive oil was the only source of monounsaturated fat associated with a reduced risk of stroke.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Olive oil intake has also been shown to lower blood pressure. In one study, olive oil reduced the need for blood pressure medication by 48%.

The study found that a single dose of high polyphenol olive oil increased endothelial function (cells lining the interior of blood vessels), decreased “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidation, and moderated blood glucose.

Diabetes Benefits

Several studies have found that olive oil, combined with a Mediterranean diet, can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and improve insulin sensitivity.

Olive Oil and Helicobacter pylori

A study in humans suggested that 30 grams of extra virgin olive oil, taken daily, can eliminate Helicobacter pylori infection in 10–40% of people in as little as two weeks.

The results of lab studies showed olive oil’s phenolic compounds were effective against eight strains of H. pylori, including three that are resistant to some antibiotics.

Choose Your Olive Oil Wisely

Turns out many companies that make extra virgin olive oil dilute their product with cheaper, lower-grade oils like canola, safflower, or sunflower oils.

Brands that passed the University of California test were: Bariani, California Olive Oil, Kirkland Organic, Lucero, Lucini, McEvoy Ranch Organic, Olea Estates Ottavio. Look for the approval California Olive Oil Council (COOC Certified Extra Virgin).

If in doubt, you can test for fake olive oils yourself. Simply refrigerate the oil. It should become more solid as it gets colder. If your oil doesn’t become thick and cloudy in the refrigerator, you know it’s probably fake or lower-grade oil.

In addition, you can look for the seal denoting approval by the California Olive Oil Council, labeled as “COOC Certified Extra Virgin”

Seals of approval from the Italian Olive Grower’ Association, the Extra Virgin Alliance (EVA), and UNAPROL also signal a good pure product.

My advice: stick with high-quality brands that passed the University of California test of that have earned a seal of approval from one of the organizations I just mentioned.

Compliments from Functional Medicine University

References:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23278117/
https://www.nature.com/articles/1602724
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4586551/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25274026/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8517637/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/13129466/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15447913/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15380903/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10737284/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19531025/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22759331/