EFSA Approves Heart Health Claim for Olive Oil Polyphenol
October 13/Brussels/eMaxHealth -- The Mediterranean diet has been well-documented in studies to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and one of the primary foods recommended is olive oil. Olive oil, derived from the olive fruit, contains many antioxidants, including one known as hydroxytyrosol which has now been approved to carry a “heart health” claim by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
The EFSA is an independent European agency, funded by the European Union budget, which offers scientific advice in the areas of food safety and nutrition. Based on research published in the EFSA Journal, the dietary consumption of hydroxytyrosol and related polyphenol compounds from olive fruit and olive oil offers protection to the blood lipids from oxidative damage which is known to adversely affect cardiovascular health.