Wellness & Health
Foreward - Talking about the health benefits of olive oil is not straightforward:
In the European Union, communication is governed by strict health claim regulations (Regulation 1924/2006 and Regulation 432/2012). These rules were created to protect consumers from misleading promises, but in practice they also restrict how much can be said about the very real nutritional differences between oils available for purchase by consumers.
The paradox is that olive oil can officially carry only three authorised health claims: related to polyphenols, unsaturated fats, and vitamin E in the EU and one Claim approved by the FDA in the US.
The wording of these claims is fixed, often giving the impression that all extra virgin olive oils are nutritionally alike. Yet the legal classification “extra virgin” is based on just a few chemical and sensory criteria (such as acidity and absence of defects).
It does not measure polyphenols, vitamin E, or fatty acid balance — the very factors that determine whether an oil qualifies for the authorised health claims.
The reality is that only a fraction of extra virgin olive oils reach the thresholds required to meet all three claims. Many oils on the market contain far fewer bioactive compounds than the regulation requires for the polyphenol claim in particular.
This gap creates confusion: bottles may look the same on the shelf, yet their nutritional value can differ dramatically.
That is why we publish the results of our lab analyses, so that consumers can see for themselves when an olive oil truly provides the benefits recognised by science and by EU regulation.
But transparency cannot rest on the goodwill of a few committed producers.
Authorities and supervisory bodies must take responsibility: they should clarify these differences and ensure that labeling rules reflect nutritional reality, not just minimal legal standards. Clear, enforceable guidelines are urgently needed to distinguish between olive oils that truly deliver scientifically recognised health benefits and industrial oils that, while legally “extra virgin,” do not.
Anything less misleads consumers, undermines trust, and penalises the very producers who uphold quality.
If the aim of regulation is truly to protect the public, then it must evolve to serve the consumer first, with clarity, honesty, and courage.
Why is Our Olive Oil Different?
The Mediterranean diet is a proven recipe for wellness, with olive oil as its cornerstone. High-quality olive oil is truly a superfood, offering unparalleled health benefits.
Used for millennia in Mediterranean cultures, olive oil is scientifically recognized for promoting optimal health.
At Olea Prilis, we have redefined olive oil, bringing you the potent and healing properties of high-phenolic organic olive oil, crafted for both wellness and culinary delight.
Why do we need oil in our diet?
In recent decades, our understanding of dietary fats has evolved. We now know that they are essential for overall health, serving key functions in the body:
- Energy Source: A concentrated source of fuel.
- Nutrient Absorption: Required for fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).
- Cell Structure: Integral to cell membranes.
- Brain Health: Omega-3 fatty acids support brain function and development.
- Hormone Production: Essential for growth, metabolism, and development.
- Organ Protection: Fat cushions vital organs.
- Temperature Regulation: Helps maintain body warmth.
- Flavor & Satiety: Enhances food and promotes fullness, regulating intake.
Olea Prilis "Wellness Olive Oil"
At Olea Prilis, we are passionate about nurturing our olive trees, which in turn produce exceptional olives. Through precise and meticulous extraction, we create an organic olive oil that is both a culinary delight and a powerhouse of health-promoting nutrients.
Food as medicine.
Scientific research confirms that olive oils rich in polyphenols and vitamin E contribute to the protection of blood lipids and cells from oxidative stress. Our high-phenolic olive oil provides these naturally occurring compounds at levels well above the minimum thresholds established by EU regulation, offering more than what is typically found in standard extra virgin olive oils.
Not All Olive Oils Are Equal
Several factors influence olive oil quality:
- Olive variety
- Terroir (soil and climate conditions)
- Farming strategy
- Harvest timing
- Milling techniques
A meticulous process ensures that Olea Prilis Olive Oils are exceptionally rich in beneficial biophenols, making them the healthiest choice for smoothies, dressings, drizzling, and even sipping!
What Is High-Phenolic Olive Oil?
Not all extra virgin olive oils are alike. High-phenolic olive oils like Olea Prilis are crafted to preserve high levels of polyphenols, the powerful plant compounds recognised by the European Food Safety Authority for their protective role against oxidative stress.
Alongside their natural vitamin E and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, these oils provides benefits that most ordinary olive oils cannot deliver. This is why we share our lab results: to show clearly that our oil meets and exceeds the standards required for health claims in the EU.
The Magic 5%
Olive oil is composed of 95% fatty acids (triglycerides), but the real health benefits come from the remaining 5%, which contains bioactive compounds, that as we discussed in the foreword to this section, are not even considered in olive oil labeling guidelines – a missed opportunity.
These bioactive compounds provide well-documented health benefits.
High quality olive Olive oil is valued for its content of natural polyphenols, which contribute to its distinctive taste and aromatic character.
Its balanced profile of monounsaturated fats, makes it one of the healthiest vegetable oils.
When used as part of a varied diet, it can enhance the flavour of foods while providing a source of beneficial nutrients that support overall well-being.
Scientifically Proven Health Benefits; According to the European Food Safety Agency, olive oil with the chemical properties of our olive oils qualifies for multiple health claims:
Polyphenols
Olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20 g of olive oil.
Oleic acid - Fda Claim
Supportive but not conclusive scientific evidence suggests that daily consumption of about 1½ tablespoons (20 grams) of oils containing high levels of oleic acid, when replaced for fats and oils higher in saturated fat, may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease –
To qualify for this claim, the oil must:
Contain at least 70% oleic acid per serving
Be used in place of saturated fats
Not increase total daily caloric intake
Vitamin E
Vitamin E contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress
Monounsaturated & polyunsaturated fatty acids
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Replacing saturated fats with unsaturated fats in the diet contributes to the maintenance of normal blood cholesterol levels. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease |
Olea Prilis: A Selection of Fine Olive Oils
Unique Flavors, Superior Nutrition: Discover Our High-Phenolic Oils
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