Promoting preventative medicine through olive oil

The Oleocanthal International Society (OIS), a group of international olive oil experts from the world of science, academia, gastronomy and media, dedicated to promoting preventative medicine through nutrition, gathered at their third conference for “The Health and Nutrition Awards 2016”.

The health and nutrition awards 2016, was held on the 2nd and 3rd of June, this year, at the International Olympic Academy in Ancient Olympia, Greece. Scientists, researchers, farmers, associations and producers gathered at the conference with topics ranging from storage conditions and historical methods, to the sensory attributes of pungency and bitterness; all targeting the main objective regarding the health protecting properties of olive oil, including Oleocanthal and other related phenolic substances.

During the conference, Dr. Ramon Estruch, explained how high-unsaturated fat diets, made from olive oil, is more beneficial for cardiovascular health than a lower-fat diet, and was better for the elderly at high risk of cardio vascular disease. John William Newman PhD , US dept. of Agriculture, gave a surprising comparison, that Oleocanthal rich olive oil has an effect on blood platelet aggregation similar to ibuprofen in certain individuals. Furthermore, studies by Prof Amal Kaddoumi support the beneficial and protective effect of EVOO against Alzheimer Disease and Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy. There was also a recent discovery unveiled at the conference by Dr. Eleni Melliou, of a new varietal of olive tree found near and around Ancient Olympia. This olive tree, that has been neglected and unnamed, produces high amounts of olive oil with extremely high phenolic compounds.  Dr. Melliou proposed the name of cultivar Olympia for this olive tree because it was discovered in the areas surrounding Olympia.

The health and nutrition awards tested, 565 samples of olive oil from 325 producers from Greece, Spain, Italy, USA, Cyprus, Morocco and Uruguay, each of the samples were required to exceed the limit of 25 mg/kg phenol content, meeting the European regulation 432/2012.

Producers in Greece, most particularly the Peloponnese and Ionian islands, are eager to add more chapters to the transformational story of virgin oil and to fortify their already mystical and modern brands.

For more information: http://olympiaconference.gr/

Georgina Cooper

Erasmus New Entrepreneur from UK in collaboration with “Dione” local development centre in Ancient Olympia

cropgeorgina@yahoo.co.uk, vasso-charitopoulou@hotmail.com