Ask the Expert

Olive Oil & Vitamin E

What are the health benefits of Vitamin E in EVOO?

Many studies show that the fatty acids and antioxidants in EVOO offer powerful health benefits. One of these antioxidants is Vitamin E. Vitamin E’s main role is to act as a fat-soluble antioxidant, defending cell membranes from free radical damage. Fat soluble means that you need to eat “fat” at the same time as the Vitamin E in order for your body to absorb it. So, EVOO is the perfect vehicle for Vitamin E! Adults need 15 mg of Vitamin E everyday. In the Mediterranean diet, EVOO contributes to almost half of the requirement! The health benefits of Vitamin E have not been seen when people take it in the form of a supplement. It’s interesting that many of the health benefits associated with Vitamin E (reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, brain health) are the same as those associated with EVOO and the Mediterranean Diet.