Olive Oil
What’s New This Month
- Products listed: Five products now appear in our buying table: four olive oil softgels and one olive leaf capsule. None holds NSF/ANSI 173, NSF Certified for Sport or USP Verified status.
- Strokes: A Cochrane review found the PREDIMED Mediterranean diet, with extra olive oil or nuts, had little or no effect on deaths but fewer strokes. It tested a whole diet, not oil alone. 1
- Brain health: A small 2026 analysis of five trials suggested a slight cognitive benefit in older adults with memory problems; the evidence is low certainty. 2
- Recall: In 2025 FDA recorded a Class III recall of a 3-litre “extra virgin olive oil” (Daniele brand) that was likely canola oil; the recall is closed. Our earlier brief missed it. 3
- Blood sugar: A 2026 review of 51 trials with 4,334 people found olive oil did not change blood sugar. 4
Overview
Olive oil is pressed from the fruit of the olive tree (Olea europaea). It is mostly a fat called oleic acid, plus polyphenols, plant compounds studied for health effects. It is sold as cooking oil, “shots” and capsules, next to olive leaf extracts.
People around the Mediterranean have grown olive trees since the first civilizations there, about 6,000 years ago. 5
Sellers claim it helps the heart, brain, cholesterol, blood sugar, joints and gut, and that high-polyphenol oils work best.
How We Researched It
We rate each marketing claim with a modified version of GRADE, the system medical researchers use to say how sure we can be (i.e., high, moderate, low or very low), and check each trial with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, which asks whether a study’s design could skew its results. For olive oil we reviewed about 60 records, mostly from October 2022 to October 2026. We also checked ten regulators and safety databases, including FDA, Health Canada and health agencies in Hong Kong and Taiwan, plus Cochrane and ConsumerLab.
Research NotesTop three benefits
Heart Health GRADE: Low
Per 25 g a day, pooled studies linked olive oil to 16% less heart disease. 6 In PREDIMED, 7,447 people at high risk on a Mediterranean diet with extra virgin oil had 31% fewer heart events. 7
Bias check: Most data come from studies that watch people. PREDIMED tested a diet, not oil alone, and was republished after errors in how people were assigned.
Stroke GRADE: Low
In PREDIMED, strokes were 40% lower (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.80), rated moderate certainty by Cochrane. 1
Bias check: The trial tested a whole diet with extra olive oil or nuts, not oil alone. 7
Longevity GRADE: Low
Per 25 g a day, death rates were 11% lower. 6 In 22,892 Italians, over 3 tablespoons a day went with 20% lower death rates. 8 Each 5 g a day went with 8% lower death rates. 9
Bias check: All studies watched people, and several overlap. Olive oil users may differ in diet and income.
Benefit Evaluation
| Claim | Claim Verdict | Research Confidence | Supporting Evidence | Safety Risk | Product Quality | FactStack™ Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Health | Promising | Low | Promising | Low | Variable | Favorable |
| Stroke | Promising | Low | Promising | Low | Variable | Favorable |
| Longevity | Promising | Low | Promising | Low | Variable | Favorable |
| Brain Health | Promising | Low | Promising | Low | Variable | Favorable |
| LDL Cholesterol | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| HDL Cholesterol | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Blood Pressure | TBD | Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Blood Sugar | TBD | Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Weight | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Inflammation | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Cancer Prevention | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Gut, Skin and Immune Health | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Olive Leaf for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Blood Sugar | TBD | Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Joints | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Exercise Inflammation | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Low | Variable | Caution |
| Gallbladder Flush and Disease | TBD | Very Low | TBD | Within Limits | Variable | Caution |
What Sellers Say vs. What Studies Show
| “Olive oil is proven to protect your heart.” | Studies that follow people link it to less heart disease but cannot prove cause. The one large trial tested a whole Mediterranean diet. 7 |
| “Olive leaf lowers blood pressure.” | The olive leaf trials we read disagree or are unclear, so we cannot say it works. |
| “It lowers LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol.” | Across 10 trials, LDL barely changed. In another trial, 4 tablespoons a day did not lower LDL more than a teaspoon. 10 11 |
| “High-polyphenol oils work far better.” | Only small subgroup results support this. |
| “A gallbladder flush clears stones.” | Mayo Clinic finds no reliable evidence. Flushes can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and belly pain. 12 |
| “Extra virgin on the label means extra virgin in the bottle.” | A 3-litre “extra virgin” oil recalled in 2025 was likely canola oil, and ConsumerLab’s 30 Sep 2026 test passed 8 of 11 extra virgin oils. 3 13 |
Trial ParametersIf you try it
| Who | No benefit is established. Suitable as a food for healthy adults. |
| Dose | About 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 g) a day as food, in place of other fats. No dose is proven. 6 |
| Ceiling | No safety ceiling established. In one trial, 4 tablespoons a day did not lower LDL more than under 1 teaspoon. 11 |
| Duration | Capsules, extracts and shots were studied for 4 to 16 weeks only; no long-term safety data were found. |
| Form | Extra virgin oil replacing butter or other fats (swap, do not add), with an independent lab result. Avoid pomace oil, room-temperature infused oils and flushes. |
| Ask First | Extracts and olive leaf: pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, kidney problems, diuretics, or blood-pressure, blood-thinning or diabetes drugs. |
How to Take It
| Pick a plan | About 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin oil a day, in place of butter or other fats, not on top of them. 6 |
| Time of day | Not reported. No trial supports morning or empty-stomach “shots.” |
| With food | Use it in meals, as a cooking or salad oil. |
| What to expect | No quick effect. The possible heart benefit comes from years of use in studies that followed people. 6 |
| How to take | Choose extra virgin oil in dark glass with a harvest date. Skip pomace oil, which holds about 10 times more mineral oil. 14 |
Works With / Don’t Mix With
✓ Works with
Swapping fats. Replacing butter with plant oils in general went with 17% lower death rates in large US studies. 9
Not reported: no supplement shown to add to olive oil’s effect.
⚠ Ask first / don’t mix
Pregnancy, breastfeeding, kidney problems or other diuretics (olive leaf). Health Canada advises asking a health professional first. 15
Blood-pressure or diabetes drugs (extracts). Drug guides note possible added effects. Ask first.
Extra calories. Olive oil is calorie-dense, so use it in place of other fats, not on top of them.
Gallbladder flushes. Large amounts of oil can act as a laxative. 12
Manufacturer Recalls & WarningsLast 36 months, newest first
| Date | Maker / Brand | Product | Action | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | LMSI LLC (Kofinas) | Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil | Company recall announcement posted by FDA on 31 Aug 2026: the oil contained garlic essential oil not approved for culinary use. We found no FDA enforcement record for it as of 7 Oct 2026. | 16 |
| Sep 2025 | Lotsa Pasta | Basil- and garlic-infused olive oils (H-0240-2026, H-0241-2026) | FDA Class II recall for possible Clostridium botulinum contamination: the products were made without an approved process filed. The recall is closed. | 17 |
| Feb 2025 | Genova and Trader Joe’s | Canned tuna packed in olive oil (F-0610-2025 and four related records) | FDA Class II recall because the lid was not secured, a botulism hazard. It is still listed as ongoing. It concerns the can, not the oil. | 18 |
| Jan 2025 | Daniele | First Cold Press Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 L (H-0253-2025) | FDA Class III recall: “Product is likely Canola Oil, not Extra Virgin Olive Oil.” Ten cases, New York. The recall is closed. | 3 |
Where to Buy
We compare products side-by-side not just on price, but on whether NSF lists the product as NSF/ANSI 173 Contents Certified (an independent lab confirms the label matches the contents), whether it is NSF Certified for Sport, whether USP lists it as USP Verified, and whether the seller says it is manufactured in the USA. We leave out a brand’s products for this supplement when, in the last 36 months, the FDA took action against that brand over this supplement (a Class I or II recall, a warning letter, an import alert or an advisory letter). We also leave out any brand with an FDA Class II recall or warning letter on any product. We also leave out any product named in a California Prop 65 notice or a non-US recall, along with that brand’s products of the same ingredient and form. Brands with other actions stay listed and are marked in the Recall Screen column. Our goal remains to provide you, the Consumer, with the information and data necessary to make an informed purchasing decision. Prices reflected below are static and subject to change.
Ratings above describe the ingredient’s research, not any product listed below.
| # | Retailer | Product | Price | NSF 173 | NSF Sport | USP | Mfg. in USA (per seller) | Recall Screen | Affiliate link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | iHerb | Swanson Vitamins, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 120 Softgels (1,000 mg per Softgel) | $21.39 | ✓ | View on iHerb ↗ | ||||
| 2 | Amazon | Carlyle Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2,000 mg, 120 Softgels | Check Price | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | ||||
| 3 | Amazon | Nutricost Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2,000 mg, 120 Softgels | Check Price | ✓ | ✓ | View on Amazon ↗ | |||
| 4 | Botanic Choice | Botanic Choice Ultra Olive Leaf 500 mg, 60 capsules (olive leaf extract, not olive oil) | $14.00 | ✓ | View on Botanic Choice ↗ | ||||
| 5 | iHerb | Vitamatic, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 120 Softgels (1,000 mg per Softgel) | $13.30 | ✓ | View on iHerb ↗ |
Sources
1. Rees K et al. Mediterranean-style diet for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease (Cochrane review CD009825; abstract read). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 13 Mar 2019. europepmc.org/article/MED/30864165
2. Simao et al. Olive oil and cognition in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: analysis of 5 trials (abstract read). Europe PMC record, 23 Feb 2026. europepmc.org/article/MED/41740793
3. openFDA food enforcement record H-0253-2025 (Daniele First Cold Press Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 3 L). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 16 Jul 2025. api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22H-0253-2025%22
4. Takhttavous et al. Olive oil and blood sugar control, dose-response review of 51 trials (4,334 people). Nutrition Reviews, 2026. doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaf099
5. Besnard G et al. On the origins and domestication of the olive: a review and perspectives. Annals of Botany 121(3):385, 2018. academic.oup.com/aob/article/121/3/385/4775111
6. Martinez-Gonzalez MA et al. Olive oil intake and heart disease, diabetes, cancer and death: review and meta-analysis. Clinical Nutrition, 2022. doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2022.10.001
7. Estruch R et al. Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil or nuts and heart events (PREDIMED, 7,447 adults; republished). New England Journal of Medicine, 2018. doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1800389
8. Olive oil intake and death in the Moli-sani cohort (22,892 adults). European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2024. doi.org/10.1038/s41430-024-01442-8
9. Butter and plant-based oils intake and death, three US cohorts (221,054 adults). JAMA Internal Medicine, 2025. doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.0205
10. Olive oil polyphenols and blood lipids, meta-analysis of 10 trials (991 people). Metabolites 13(12):1187, 2023. doi.org/10.3390/metabo13121187
11. Extra virgin olive oil, 4 tablespoons vs under 1 teaspoon a day, on a vegan diet: crossover trial (40 adults). Journal of the American Heart Association, 2024. doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.035034
12. Gallbladder cleanse: a ‘natural’ remedy for gallstones (expert answer). Mayo Clinic, 28 Feb 2024. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gallstones/expert-answers/gallbladder-cleanse/faq-20058134
13. ConsumerLab tests reveal best extra virgin olive oils, and which fell short (11 oils tested; full review for members). ConsumerLab.com, 30 Sep 2026. www.consumerlab.com/news/best-extra-virgin-olive-oils/09-30-2026/
14. Moret S et al. Mineral oil hydrocarbons in olive oils: a review. Foods, 2026. doi.org/10.3390/foods15081281
15. Olive leaf: natural health product monograph. Health Canada, 19 Dec 2025. webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca/nhpid-bdipsn/dbImages/1026
16. LMSI LLC recalls Kofinas Garlic Mediterranean Infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil (company announcement). US Food and Drug Administration, 31 Aug 2026. www.fda.gov/safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts/lmsi-llckofinas-olive-oil-issues-voluntary-recall-its-garlic-mediterranean-infused-extra-virgin
17. openFDA food enforcement records H-0240-2026 and H-0241-2026 (Lotsa Pasta infused olive oils). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 10 Dec 2025. api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22H-0241-2026%22
18. openFDA food enforcement record F-0610-2025 and related records (tuna in olive oil). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 19 Mar 2025. api.fda.gov/food/enforcement.json?search=recall_number:%22F-0610-2025%22
19. CAERS adverse-event reports matching olive oil (openFDA food event records). US Food and Drug Administration (openFDA), 7 Oct 2026. api.fda.gov/food/event.json?search=products.name_brand:%22olive+oil%22
20. Proposition 65 60-day notice list (CSV export searched for olive oil). California Office of the Attorney General, 7 Oct 2026. oag.ca.gov/prop65/60-day-notice-list
21. Warning letter to MG Group USA, MARCS-CMS 718152. US Food and Drug Administration, 23 Oct 2025. www.fda.gov/inspections-compliance-enforcement-and-criminal-investigations/warning-letters/mg-group-usa-718152-10232025
22. Notice on a 100% PURE olive oil mixed with canola oil (read in translation). Taipei City Department of Health, via Taiwan FDA, 29 Jan 2026. www.fda.gov.tw/TC/csmnewsContent.aspx?mid=267&id=t624065
23. Olitalia Pomace Olive Oil: public advised not to consume (press release). Centre for Food Safety, Hong Kong, 11 Aug 2026. www.cfs.gov.hk/english/press/20260811_12557.html
24. Regulation (EU) 2023/915 on contaminants in food, list of amending acts. EUR-Lex, As listed 5 Oct 2026. eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2023/915
