- What does extra virgin olive oil do? In addition to a pleasurable taste, extra virgin olive oil has potential health benefits including reduced risk of coronary heart disease, reduced risk of breast and colorectal cancers, and improved blood sugar control (See What It Does). Some of these benefits are associated with high amounts of polyphenols in extra virgin olive oils, as well as high concentrations of oleic acid.
- How much olive oil should I take? Health benefits with extra virgin olive oil have been associated with intakes of about 2 to 4 tablespoons per day -- particularly when this replaces saturated fats (See What It Does).
- Best choice for extra virgin olive oil? Although all ten of the popular extra virgin olive oils selected for review by ConsumerLab.com passed chemical testing, analysis of flavor and aroma by an expert olive oil taster raised questions about the quality of three products — grading them as not extra virgin (See What CL Found). Among those considered "Extra Virgin," CL selected three as its Top Picks — having correct chemistry, excellent flavor and aroma, a high concentration of polyphenols and oleic acid, and low cost. Use the Results Table to compare the test results (including polyphenol levels, which ranged from 215 mg/kg to 369 mg/kg -- a 72% difference!), taste descriptions, prices, and other features of products.
- How to buy, use, and store olive oil? Buy olive oil in a dark-colored bottle to protect it from light (and/or store it in a dark cabinet), and don't worry about the color of the oil — it's not a reliable indicator of quality or flavor. If cooking with olive oil, limit use to later stages of cooking, keeping heating time to a minimum (See ConsumerTips™).
- Safety and side effects of olive oil: Olive oil is generally safe and well-tolerated, but it may interact with certain medications (see Concerns and Cautions).
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Extra Virgin Olive Oil Review
Find the Best Extra Virgin Olive Oil . See How Popular Extra Virgin Olive Oils Compare on Purity, Freshness, Polyphenols, Oleic Acid, and Taste
Reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.
Extra virgin olive oils compared in this review
365 (Whole Foods) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil
California Olive Ranch Extra Virgin Olive Oil Everyday
Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Kirkland Signature [Costco] Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Lucini Premium Select Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Newman's Own Organics Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Pompeian Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Spectrum Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Trader Joe's Premium Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Make sure you're choosing the best extra virgin olive oil!
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Summary
You must be a member to get the full test results for 10 extra virgin olive oils along with ConsumerLab.com's recommendations and quality ratings. In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:
- Which extra virgin olive oils passed tests and which did not
- ConsumerLab.com's Top Picks, representing the best quality extra virgin olive oils at the best price
- Anti-oxidant polyphenol levels and oleic acid levels in extra virgin olive oils
- The evidence behind the health benefits of olive oil
- How to buy, use, store, and cook with extra virgin olive oil
- Cautions when using extra virgin olive oil along with prescription medications
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Related CL Answers (10)
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