Mitä polyfenolit ovat ja mikä niiden merkitys oliiviöljyssä on?

Polyphenols are natural antioxidant compounds in olive oil, particularly found in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil. They are formed in the olive as it ripens and are best preserved in the oil when processing is minimal and mechanical. The polyphenol content is one of the factors that distinguishes high-quality extra virgin olive oil from other olive oils.

Polyfenolit vaikuttavat kehossa monin tavoin. Ne voivat toimia antioksidantteina, jotka suojaavat soluja vaurioilta. Niillä voi olla myös tulehdusta ehkäiseviä ominaisuuksia ja ne voivat parantaa sydän- ja verisuoniterveyttä. Lisäksi tutkimukset viittaavat siihen, että polyfenolit voivat vaikuttaa suoliston mikrobiomiin ja auttaa ehkäisemään tiettyjä kroonisia sairauksia.

The polyphenols in olive oil act as antioxidants, protecting cells from oxidative stress. The best-known polyphenols in olive oil are oleocanthal and oleuropein. Oleocanthal gives high-quality extra virgin olive oil its characteristic peppery aftertaste that is felt in the throat.

The Mediterranean diet, with extra virgin olive oil playing a central role, is one of the world's most studied dietary patterns. Polyphenols are part of this whole – good fats, vegetables, and moderation form the foundation of a balanced daily life.

Why does extra virgin olive oil contain the most polyphenols?

Extra virgin olive oil is produced mechanically by cold pressing fresh olives without chemicals or heat. This minimal processing preserves the olives' natural compounds almost intact in the finished oil.

In refined olive oils, polyphenol content decreases significantly because heating and chemical processing break down sensitive antioxidant compounds. In cold pressing, the oil is separated from the olive paste at a low temperature, typically below 27 degrees Celsius. When olives are carefully harvested and pressed fresh soon after harvest, polyphenols are preserved in the oil.

What factors affect polyphenol content?

• Variety The Koroneiki olive, grown particularly in Crete, is known for its naturally high polyphenol content.
• Maturity level: Previously ripened, greener olives contain more polyphenols than fully ripe fruits.
• Climate and soil: Crete's dry and warm climate, along with its mineral-rich soil, create ideal growing conditions for olives.
• Clamping method: Cold pressing without chemicals and heating best preserves polyphenols.
• Freshness: The faster olives are pressed after harvest, the more polyphenols remain in the oil.

Storage also has an effect. Light, heat, and oxygen degrade polyphenols, so olive oil should be stored in a cool place, protected from light.

How to identify olive oil containing polyphenols?

Pay attention to these points:

• Quality Category: Always choose extra virgin olive oil. Explore the quality grades of olive oil I don't understand what the differences are between them.
• Manufacturing method: The marking "cold-pressed" indicates mechanical production without heating.
• Origin and Variety: Single-origin olive oil from a well-known variety, such as Koroneiki, is a good choice.
• Taste: Fruitiness and a peppery burn in the throat can indicate oleocanthal and a higher polyphenol content, but taste sensation alone is not a reliable measure.
• Freshness: Check the best-before date. Fresher oil contains more polyphenols.

Color alone does not indicate polyphenol content. A greenish-gold hue may suggest freshness, but the most reliable indicators are a combination of the correct quality grade, production method, and flavor profile.

Polyphenols as part of everyday life

Two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day is enough – a splash on salad, with bread, or to finish off prepared food. In the tradition of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil is an everyday staple, not a specialty.

Memmas Knossos extra virgin olive oil is pressed from Cretan Koroneiki olives, known for their naturally high polyphenol content. Carefully harvested olives are cold-pressed fresh in Crete, mechanically and without chemicals. This preserves the polyphenols in the oil.

Explore our cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil Incorporate that Cretan oil into your daily life. Read more about frequently asked questions about olive oil.