What is high phenolic extra virgin olive oil (HP EVOO)?

What is High-Phenolic Olive Oil?

The term "high-phenolic olive oil (HP EVOO - high phenolic extra virgin olive oil)" is increasingly appearing on social media, websites, and in press articles, but often lacks a clear definition. Phenols are naturally occurring compounds in olive oil with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. They are key to human health and contribute to many of the health benefits associated with olive oil consumption.

A Greek team of scientists set out to shed light on this term. They conducted extensive research, analyzing over 5,764 samples of olive oil over 11 years. Based on their studies, they proposed a specific definition for "high-phenolic olive oil", taking into account the stability of health-promoting phenols in olive oil during storage.

The Importance of Phenols in Olive Oil

Phenols, such as oleocanthal and oleacein, are responsible for many of the health-promoting properties of olive oil:

Oleocanthal: Exhibits anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory (similar to ibuprofen), and Alzheimer's disease prevention properties.
Oleacein: Has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-atherosclerotic properties.

A high content of phenols in olive oil translates into greater health benefits for consumers, going beyond what can be expected from monounsaturated fats.

European Health Claim

In 2012, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) approved a special health claim for olive oil. According to European regulation 432/2012:

"Olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress."

The condition is that the olive oil must contain at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (such as oleuropein and tyrosol) per 20 g of olive oil. These derivatives also include oleacein and oleocanthal.

Greek Scientists’ Research

Panagiotis Diamantakos and his co-authors from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens conducted extensive research to more precisely define the term "high-phenolic olive oil". They used the qNMR (quantitative nuclear magnetic resonance) method to accurately measure the phenol content in olive oil.

Research Results:

Average phenol concentration: 483 mg/kg.
Maximum concentration: 4,003 mg/kg.
Variability between varieties: Significant differences in phenol content depending on the olive variety.
Impact of harvest time: Phenol content decreases from September to January.
Loss of phenols during storage: On average, 46% over 12 months.

Proposed Definition of "High-Phenolic Olive Oil"

Based on their research findings, the scientists proposed the following definitions:

High-Phenolic Olive Oil: Olive oil with a phenol content above 500 mg/kg, which maintains the health claim limit (250 mg/kg) for at least 12 months after bottling.
Ultra High-Phenolic Olive Oil: Olive oil with a phenol content above 1,200 mg/kg (about 1-5% of available olive oil).

The Impact of Storage Conditions on Phenol Content

Storage conditions significantly affect the stability of phenols in olive oil:

Refrigerator storage (4°C): Retains about 92% of phenols after 6 months.
Freezer storage (-18°C): Retains about 97% of phenols after 6 months.
Loss of phenols after 12 months in the freezer: Only 9.5%.

The Importance of Olive Varieties

Some olive varieties are characterized by higher phenol content:

Kalamon: High oleocanthal content.
Olympia: The richest in total phenols.
Koroneiki: Large variability in phenol content (0–2,637 mg/kg), indicating the influence of cultivation and production factors.

Importance of Research for Consumers and Producers

For consumers: The ability to make informed choices about olive oil with higher phenol content, leading to greater health benefits.
For producers: Encouragement to optimize cultivation and production methods to increase phenol content.

Where to Buy High-Phenolic Olive Oil?

If you are interested in purchasing high-phenolic olive oil, the store kreta24.pl offers a wide selection of products labeled Phenolic. You can easily filter oils by phenol content to find the product that best meets your health needs.

Here are six examples of high-phenolic oils available in the store:

With an intuitive filtering system, you can quickly find olive oil with the desired phenol content, allowing you to enjoy the maximum health benefits of its consumption.

Full Documentation of Phenolic Oils

All phenolic oils available in our store kreta24.pl come with complete and up-to-date documentation confirming their authenticity. Each product is backed by:

Biochemical studies
Flavor profile
Magnetic resonance (NMR) or liquid chromatography (HPLC) studies

These documents are available for download under product descriptions, providing full transparency and confidence in the quality of the offered oils. This ensures that you are choosing a top-class product that meets all quality and health standards.

Summary

The research of Greek scientists provides solid statistical data that help in precisely defining the term "high-phenolic olive oil". This olive oil should contain more than 500 mg/kg of phenols, ensuring the maintenance of its health-promoting properties for at least a year after bottling. Thanks to these findings, consumers can make more informed choices, and producers have clear guidelines regarding the quality of their products.

High-Phenolic Olive Oil (EVOO) Comparison and Recommended Consumption

"99% of the health benefits of olive oil are related to the presence of phenolic compounds, not the oil itself."
Nasir Malik, USDA Plant Physiologist

Phenol Content:

Phenol Content (mg/kg)	Characteristics	Application	Recommended Consumption
250 - 500	Most quality extra virgin olive oils fall within this range.	Ideal for cooking, baking, soups, and sautéing. Phenols transfer to food. Great for drizzling or salads.	—
500 - 800	Versatile oil with a more distinct, harmonious flavor profile.	Add to meals or use as a dietary supplement.	2 tablespoons (15-30 ml) in the morning.*
800 - 1200	Phenol range most often used in clinical studies.	Use as an energy boost or daily supplement.	1-3 teaspoons (5-15 ml) in the morning.*
1200 - 2000	Sharp, pungent, and bitter taste, indicating high phenol content.	Ideal for daily consumption or as a workout support.	1 teaspoon (5 ml) in the morning.*
2000+	Very rare (less than 5%) with a distinct bitter and pungent flavor profile.	—	1 teaspoon (5 ml) in the morning.*

High-Phenolic Olive Oil (HP EVOO)

Definition: High phenolic olive oil (HP EVOO - high phenolic extra virgin olive oil) was defined in 2012 by the EU with a minimum requirement of 250 mg of phenols per kg to achieve additional dose-dependent health benefits.

Storage and Use:

Cooking: Safe for cooking – high smoke point is 200°C or 400°F. Phenols are water-soluble and transfer to food, increasing nutrient levels. They degrade at high temperatures.
Storage: To preserve phenol content, store at low temperature. After harvest, fresh oil of this class can be frozen to maintain its parameters. Once opened, consume within 4 weeks.

*Consult a physician if you are under medical care or taking prescription medications before adding high-phenolic olive oil to your diet.

Bibliography

Diamantakos, P., Ioannidis, K., Papanikolaou, C., Tsolakou, A., Rigakou, A., Melliou, E., & Magiatis, P. (2021). A New Definition of the Term “High-Phenolic Olive Oil” Based on Large Scale Statistical Data of Greek Olive Oils Analyzed by qNMR. Molecules, 26(4), 1115. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26041115
Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012 establishing a list of permitted health claims made on foods, other than those referring to the reduction of disease risk and to children’s development and health. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/PL/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32012R0432

Compiled and translated by: Tadeusz Gruszczyński certified olive sommelier. Copying without the author’s permission is prohibited.

What is high phenolic extra virgin olive oil (HP EVOO)?