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Clinical Updates
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Olive Oil: Too Much of a Good Thing?
June 16, 2025
Replacing less healthy fats in the diet with olive oil may be beneficial for heart health and maintaining a healthy weight, but recent studies suggest less benefit for cholesterol levels with too much olive oil, which may also stimulate fat cell production. Learn more in our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, including exactly how much olive oil may be beneficial. Also see our Top Picks for extra virgin olive oil.
Does Olive Oil Raise "Good" Cholesterol?
May 08, 2025
Does regular consumption of olive oil increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels? See what a recent expert panel concluded in the Cardiovascular disease section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks for extra virgin olive oil.
Extra Virgin Olive Oils Rated
April 28, 2025
Three popular extra virgin olive oils tested in our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review received awards in a recent international olive oil competition. Get the details and see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Olive Oil for Acid Reflux?
December 09, 2024
Does olive oil help reduce gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)? Find out what research suggests in the Acid reflux section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks.
Should You Refrigerate Olive Oil?
September 03, 2024
Is storing extra virgin olive oil in the refrigerator better than storing it at room temperature? Find out what a recent study showed in the ConsumerTips section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our tests and our Top Picks for EVOO.
Cancer-Causing PAH in Olive Oil?
August 01, 2024
A limit on PAH compounds in oils was recently set in Europe. Should you be concerned about PAH in olive oils? Get the facts in the Concerns and Cautions section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Review, which includes our Top Picks for EVOO.
Too Much Olive Oil?
July 29, 2024
Consuming little extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) may be more heart-healthy than consuming a large amount, according to a recent study. Get the details in the Cardiovascular section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Olive Oil "Not Fit for Consumption"
June 21, 2024
Some extra virgin olive oils were considered "lampante" (not fit for human consumption) by our taste tester. A CL member asked if these pose a health risk. No, they don't, but for more about what it means, see the Quality Concerns section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes defects found and our Top Picks.
Olive Oil Ratings
June 14, 2024
How do ConsumerLab’s ratings of extra virgin olive oils compare to those by Consumer Reports? Find out in the What CL Found section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Phthalates Found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
May 17, 2024
A recent study detected phthalates (plasticizer chemicals) in popular extra virgin olive oils. Get the details by brand, and find out if you should be concerned, in the Quality Concerns section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils (EVOO) Review, which includes our Top Picks for EVOO.
Organic Olive Oil?
April 23, 2024
Are pesticides used on olives and should I seek organic olive oil? See the discussion in our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Pick for organic extra virgin olive oil.
How Olive Oil Lowers Cholesterol
April 19, 2024
A recent study suggested how substituting olive oil in place of saturated fats can reduce cholesterol. Get the details in the Cardiovascular Disease section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks for olive oil.
Also see: Which supplements or foods can help lower cholesterol and keep my heart healthy? Are there any to avoid?
Also see: Which supplements or foods can help lower cholesterol and keep my heart healthy? Are there any to avoid?
Olive Oil & Fatty Liver
March 19, 2024
Olive oil seems to offer benefits to people with fatty liver disease. See what a recent study showed in our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review, which includes our Top Picks among olive oils.
Also see: Do any supplements help with fatty liver disease? Are some diets more beneficial than others?
Also see: Do any supplements help with fatty liver disease? Are some diets more beneficial than others?
Top Pick Extra Virgin Olive Oil Renamed
January 30, 2024
In case you've been trying to find our Top Pick EVOO for "high polyphenols," we learned that the name has changed. For details, see the Top Picks section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review.
Pesticides in Olive Oil?
January 26, 2024
How big a risk is pesticide contamination in extra virgin olive oils? See what recent study found in the Quality Concerns section of our Extra Virgin Olive Review. Also see our Top Picks for olive oil.
Olive Oil & Inflammation
July 07, 2023
Does high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil decrease inflammation compared to regular olive oil? See what a recent study found in our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review.
Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils and learn what impact these oils may have on insulin and blood sugar control.
Olive Oil Review Expanded: Many Do Not Make the Grade
March 31, 2023
We tested three new olive oils based on reader requests, and the results are in! Our new tests included two olive oils that claim to be high in polyphenols, and the results were surprising:
-- One olive oil was rated so poorly by our professional taster it was considered to be "lampante" -- i.e., not fit for human consumption.
-- The other high-polyphenol oil delivered a good amount of polyphenols, rated well for taste, and is now our new Top Pick for a very high-polyphenol olive oil.
We also tested California Olive Ranch Global Blend but were somewhat disappointed.
See the results now for 13 popular olive oils in our updated Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review.
Olive Oil for Memory?
January 10, 2023
Can extra virgin olive oil improve memory and learning in people with mild cognitive impairment? Find out what a recent study found in the Memory section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review.
Also see our answer to the question: Do any supplements, foods or lifestyle modifications help with brain function, like memory and cognition?
Olive Oil Impact on Cholesterol
November 18, 2022
Replacing saturated fat in the diet with olive oil may help lower cholesterol levels. But what happens when one adds a large amount of olive oil to the diet? See what a recent study found in the Cardiovascular disease section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review.
Olive Oil Lowers Risk of Death
January 31, 2022
Regular consumption of olive oil was associated with reduced risk of death from heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease in a large, long-term study – but only if replacing certain other foods. Get the details in the What It Does section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Best Way to Store Olive Oil
September 13, 2021
Even if unopened, it is best to store extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) at the right temperature, according to results of a recent study. Get the details on the best way to store EVOO in our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
EVOO vs. Regular Olive Oil
September 06, 2021
Extra virgin olive oil may be more beneficial than regular olive oil for blood sugar control and satiety, according to a recent study. Get the details in the Insulin Control and Blood Sugar section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Mediterranean vs. Low-Fat Diet for Arteries
August 20, 2021
A long-term study in people with coronary heart disease compared the effects of a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil with a low-fat diet. Find out which diet decreased atherosclerosis (plaque build-up in arteries) in the Cardiovascular Disease section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Olive Oil & Alzheimer's?
April 23, 2021
Can regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil improve cognition and reduce blood levels of markers associated with Alzheimer's disease? See what a recent study found in the What It Does section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review. Also see our Top Picks among olive oils.
Olive Oil & Cognition
October 15, 2020
Does consuming extra olive oil improve cognitive function in people with mild cognitive impairment? Find out what a recent study showed in the What It Does section of our Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks for olive oil.
Olive Oil & Breast Cancer Risk
September 14, 2020
Is olive oil consumption associated with a lower risk of breast cancer in women? See what a recent analysis found in the What It Does section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks for olive oil.
Olive Oil and Heart Disease
March 06, 2020
Does consuming olive oil instead of butter or margarine reduce the risk of heart disease? Find out what studies are showing, and the amounts of olive oil being used, in the What It Does section of the Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks for olive oil.
Best Way to Cook With Olive Oil
January 24, 2020
Cooking can reduce levels of heart-healthy polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), but a new study showed how to minimize this loss. Get the details in the ConsumerTips section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Fatty Liver Disease
August 12, 2019
Can consuming a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra-virgin olive oil decrease the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? See what a new study found in the What It Does section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. Also see our tests and Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Diabetes
July 22, 2019
Several studies have looked at the effects of consuming extra virgin olive oil on improving blood sugar control. The most recent study looked at whether it could delay the need for glucose-lowering medication in people with type 2 diabetes. Get the results in the What It Does section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review. Also see our Top Picks among products.
Plastic Bottles Okay for Olive Oil?
February 11, 2019
A recent study compared the effects of storing extra virgin olive oil in plastic versus glass bottles, as well as the effects of light. Find out which bottle and setting fared best in the ConsumerTips section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review. Also see our latest Top Picks for extra virgin olive oil.
Best Olive Oil for Heart?
November 19, 2018
This week, the FDA agreed that oils that are at least 70% oleic acid may claim to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease when substituted for saturated fats. Oleic acid is the dominant fatty acid in olive oil. However, our tests of popular extra virgin olive oils show that only some reach the 70% level. Get the details in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. (Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.)
Mediterranean Diet Study Retracted
June 14, 2018
A landmark study about the benefits of the Mediterranean Diet was retracted and republished this week. Does this change what we know about the benefits of extra virgin olive oil? Find out in the Cardiovascular Disease section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. (Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.)
Choosing Olive Oil for Cholesterol Benefit
May 01, 2018
Certain types of olive oil may be more effective at improving cholesterol levels according to a recent analysis. Find out more in the What It Does section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review. (Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils).
Lower Heart Risk With Olive Oil
December 09, 2017
Using olive oil was associated with a dramatic reduction in the risk of cardiovascular disease in a recent study. But what about using olive oil along with other oils? Get the results and learn more in the "What It Does" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review. Also see our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Olive Oil and Prostate Cancer
September 09, 2017
Another possible benefit of olive oil within a Mediterranean diet is a reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer, according to a new study. For details about this and other benefits of olive oil, see the updated "What It Does" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review, which includes our Top Picks among products.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil Aids Fat Loss
September 01, 2017
A study among overweight women found that substituting extra virgin olive oil for another plant oil led to greater losses of body fat during dieting. See the details in the "What It Does" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review -- which includes our Top Picks among extra virgin olive oils.
Olive Oil Helps in Pre-Diabetes
May 29, 2017
Adding extra virgin olive oil to a meal decreased the rise in blood sugar and increased insulin levels after the meal, according to a new study in people with pre-diabetes. Similar benefits with olive oil have been shown in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. For details, see the "Insulin Control and Blood Sugar" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review, which includes our tests and comparisons of popular olive oils on the market.
Olive Oil Lowers Diabetes Risk
April 22, 2017
Consuming a certain amount of olive oil daily reduces the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by 13%, according to a new study. Consuming more than this amount did not reduce the risk further. Get the details, and see our tests of popular oils, in the "What It Does" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oils Review >>
Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil Improves Depression
February 20, 2017
A recent study found that men and women with major depression who consumed a Mediterranean diet with olive oil had significant improvement in symptoms compared to those who maintained their typical diet. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of the Olive Oil Review (which includes our tests of products) >>
Reason for Olive Oil Defects?
January 19, 2017
We recently noticed that all three of the extra virgin olive oils which failed to be Approved in our recent review share something in common. For details, see the "What CL Found" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review (which includes our tests of products) >>
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Bone Fracture Risk
January 16, 2017
A recent study found that higher consumption of extra virgin olive oil was associated with a 51% reduction in the risk of osteoporosis-related bone fractures. Get the details in the "What It Does" section of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review (which includes our tests of products) >>
