This week on the Olive Health Information System website

The newsletter of the University of Navarra and the IOC dedicated to health

Article 1

The Mediterranean diet — rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and extra virgin olive oil, with moderate fish intake and minimal red or processed meat — remains one of the most scientifically supported eating patterns for disease prevention. Its benefits are now being recognized well beyond heart health, with new research showing its positive effects across the entire lifespan, from early development to healthy ageing.

A recent clinical trial evaluated how adherence to the Mediterranean diet, with or without intermittent fasting, influenced physical health and well-being in older adults. Participants who followed the diet experienced notable improvements in physical function, energy levels, and overall quality of life. They also had lower rates of frailty and better heart health compared to control groups. When combined with intermittent fasting, the diet offered even greater metabolic benefits — suggesting that both food quality and meal timing play a role in supporting resilience in ageing.

These effects may be explained in part by specific components of the diet. For example, extra virgin olive oil, a central element of the Mediterranean pattern, has received particular attention for its nutritional profile. It is rich in monounsaturated fats and natural compounds known as polyphenols, which possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. These compounds are thought to support vascular function, cognitive health, and muscular integrity in later life.

The Mediterranean diet has also shown promise in pregnancy. In a long-term study involving 2228 pregnant women, those who adhered to a Mediterranean-style diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil and nuts had children with better health outcomes at age six. Specifically, the study found lower rates of bronchiolitis and atopic eczema in these children, suggesting that maternal nutrition may play a role in shaping long-term immune and metabolic health in offspring.

Together, these findings underscore the relevance of the Mediterranean diet across different life stages. Whether supporting healthy ageing or promoting early-life development, this dietary pattern offers a well-established, evidence-based foundation for improving population health.

Article 2

New scientific evidence continues to highlight the powerful role of olive oil in supporting cardiovascular health and overall longevity. Two recent high-quality studies – one a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, the other large population-based cohort study – reinforce the health benefits of olive oil, particularly those rich in phenolic compounds.

The first, a meta-analysis by Tehrani et al., examined the effects of a Mediterranean diet enriched with olive oil on inflammatory biomarkers. Their analysis showed that this dietary pattern significantly reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and soluble adhesion molecules – key players in vascular inflammation and early atherosclerosis. These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting that olive oil can provide meaningful anti-inflammatory benefits when part of a Mediterranean-style eating pattern.

Adding a population-level perspective, the Moli-sani Study followed more than 20,000 Italian adults and found that higher olive oil intake was associated with a significantly lower risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. Importantly, these associations remained robust even after accounting for other dietary and lifestyle factors, pointing to an independent role for olive oil in promoting long-term health and healthy ageing.

Together, these studies offer a compelling picture – from molecular mechanisms to real-world outcomes – of olive oil as a cornerstone of a health-promoting diet.