EVOO Studies

Here’s a summary of the most important clinical studies and trials proving the therapeutic power of EVOO:

🧬 1. The PREDIMED Study (Spain, 2013)

Name: Prevención con Dieta Mediterránea

Participants: 7,447 people at high cardiovascular risk

Duration: 5 years

Design: Randomized controlled trial

Key Findings:

  • A Mediterranean diet rich in EVOO (≥50ml/day) reduced:
    • Heart attacks by 30%
    • Stroke by 42%
    • Diabetes risk by 40%
  • EVOO intake was linked to improved cognitive function and reduced inflammation markers

Significance:  The most robust, large-scale clinical trial proving EVOO prevents major diseases — especially when high in polyphenols.

  • It was initially planned as a six-year randomized controlled trial in Spain, involving over 7,400 people at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • The study was terminated early—after a median follow-up of 4.8 years—because the results were so compelling: participants on a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra‑virgin olive oil (or nuts) had significantly fewer major events (heart attack, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes) compared to the control diet  

🧠 2. MIND Diet Study (U.S., 2015–2022)

Focus: Alzheimer’s prevention

Diet: Mediterranean + DASH + EVOO emphasis

Findings:

  • Those following the diet with EVOO had a 53% lower risk of Alzheimer’s
  • EVOO preserved cognitive performance and memory

Why: Oleocanthal and other polyphenols in EVOO help reduce brain inflammation and clear amyloid plaques

🔬 3. EUROLIVE Study (Europe, 2006)

Participants: 200+ volunteers

Goal: Compare effects of low vs high-polyphenol EVOOs

Findings:

  • High-polyphenol EVOO (≥400 mg/kg):
    • Increased HDL (“good cholesterol”)
    • Reduced LDL oxidation (key driver of heart disease)
    • Lowered oxidative stress markers

Conclusion: Not all olive oils are equal — polyphenol content directly correlates with health benefits

🧪 4. Oleocanthal Cancer Cell Studies (Rutgers & Hunter College, 2015–2020)

In vitro and animal models

Findings:

  • Oleocanthal (a polyphenol in EVOO) selectively causes cancer cell death in 30 minutes, while leaving healthy cells unharmed
  • Also shown to inhibit cancer metastasis and tumor growth

Mechanism: It disrupts the lysosomal membranes of cancer cells

🧫 5. Candida & Microbiome Studies (Various, 2017–2023)

  • EVOO polyphenols inhibit Candida albicans growth and biofilm formation
  • EVOO promotes growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria
  • Helps modulate the gut environment and reduce yeast overgrowth naturally

❤️ 6. Lyon Diet Heart Study (France, 1994)

  • A Mediterranean-style diet rich in olive oil reduced cardiac death by 70% in patients with previous heart attacks

🧯 7. Anti-Inflammatory Studies (Italy & Greece, Ongoing)

  • EVOO with high oleocanthal levels acts like natural ibuprofen
  • Reduces C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, and other inflammatory markers
  • Shown beneficial for:
    • Arthritis
    • IBD
    • Autoimmune conditions