Olive Oil, Polyphenols & Balanced Diet

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, polyphenols & a balanced diet

In Crete, Extra Virgin Olive Oil is part of everyday food culture and the wider Mediterranean dietary pattern. At Karepidis Estate, we focus on fruit quality, careful milling and protected storage.

Polyphenols and the authorised EU health claim

Polyphenols are naturally occurring components of olive oil. Their concentration is influenced by variety, harvest timing, extraction and storage.

Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 permits the claim that olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress only when the olive oil contains at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives per 20 g of olive oil. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20 g of olive oil.

Product-specific evidence

A total polyphenol value alone does not establish eligibility for the authorised claim. Eligibility depends on the required compounds and conditions, supported by the relevant analysis for the specific product or batch.

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not medical advice.