Olive Oil: Liquid Gold’s Hidden Powers
Analysis of centenarian diets reveals they consume 5-7 tablespoons of olive oil daily. Local pressing methods using stone mills preserve 95% of polyphenols compared to industrial processes. Fresh olive oil contains compounds that reduce heart disease risk by 35%. Traditional harvest timing, just before full ripeness, maximizes antioxidant content. Small producers still use gravity separation, avoiding heat that destroys beneficial compounds.