Pinpointing Olive Oil’s Healthful Attributes

A product of Olea europaea and its cultivars and a major source of fat in Mediterranean-style diets, olive oil, naturally rich in oleic acid (18:1, n-9), a monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), has been associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cognitive decline (Perez-Jimenez et al., 2005). The potential healthful benefits associated with olive oil fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity, and phenolic profile depend on harvesting technologies, cooking applications, …