How to Read an Olive Oil Polyphenol Analysis Certificate? A Guide for the Informed Consumer

“Polyphenols” is a buzzword these days. It appears on labels, in advertisements, and in product descriptions—but the mere fact that olive oil “has a lot of polyphenols” means nothing unless it is backed by concrete facts: analysis method, numerical result, laboratory name, and test date. In this article, we’ll break down four genuine NMR certificates step by step—from the delicate Manaki (180 mg/kg D1) to the phenomenal wild Agrelia (2,941 mg/kg D1)—and show you how to read them so you can distinguish marketing hype from real health benefits.

Squalene is a natural lipid (triterpene) found, among others, in olive oil, known for its health-promoting and cosmetic properties. It is the main hydrocarbon in virgin olive oil, accounting for over 50% of the unsaponifiable fraction. This compound is also present in human sebum – in humans, squalene makes up about 12% of skin surface lipids, which suggests its important protective role against external factors (e.g., UV radiation)