Viva EVOO: How Colour Saturation May Be an Indicator of the Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil has been well-known for its health benefits for some time. Evidence now shows that colour saturation may even indicate the health value of the product. While many consumers use colour to determine the quality of olive oil, the health benefits may be another selling point. With high-quality olive oils costing up to $20, communicating the correlation between colour and health can be beneficial for sales.

The Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil is good for you for several reasons. Polyphenols, key compounds found in olive oil, offer antioxidant properties. Other key compounds in the oil also provide health benefits, such as:

• Promote cardiovascular health: Studies of the Mediterranean diet have connected olive oil to many beneficial processes that keep your heart healthy. The oil reduces the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which causes heart disease. It also improves blood vessel health, prevents excess clotting, and lowers blood pressure.
• Support memory function: Polyphenols prevent oxidative stress on proteins, lipids, and DNA. When the body undergoes excess oxidative stress, neurodegenerative diseases like dementia can take hold. Olive oil can reduce this type of stress.
• Combat inflammation: Olive oil is full of monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to reduce the C-reactive protein in the body. This protein type is known for causing inflammation at high levels. The polyphenols in olive oil also provide anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen.
• Maintain a healthy immune system: Consuming enough olive oil can increase the growth and activation of T-cells. These critical immune cells protect the body from illness.
• Promote gut health: The polyphenols in olive oil can reduce inflammation in the GI tract and facilitate the growth of good bacteria. Your gut plays a critical role in overall health and mood, so improving the good bacteria can help you feel better as a whole.

What Colour Means to the Consumer

Numerous studies have shown a correlation between colour perception and food quality. External appearance of foods is a leading factor for consumers when the make purchasing choices, so it’s no wonder colorimetric science has become so deeply embedded in the foods industries. Visual acceptability not only indicates quality, but the fine art of colour control is what eventually persuades many buyer purchases. Acceptability of colour has been the top priority in olive oil manufacturing for many years, but with a new focus on the health benefits of olive oil, industry leaders are now paying closer attention to what colour saturation tells us about the nutritional value of the product.

The Correlation Between Colour and Health

Chlorophylls are natural pigments found in olive oil. While these pigments are known for their green hue and role in photosynthesis, recent studies have revealed its connection to antioxidants. This fact means that accurate colour measurement can indicate the health benefits that olive oil can offer.

With health benefits relating to olive oil's green hue, manufacturers have another reason to base their pricing on colour. The colour already indicates oil purity and taste, but it's become an even more important metric for those who value olive oil's health benefits.

Many regulatory bodies require quantifiable colour measurements for olive oil to indicate the health benefits of a product. Spectrophotometers are the only method available that can measure translucent and semi-transparent liquids with accurate data. Thanks to this equipment, manufacturers can back health claims with trusted metrics.

Facilitate Accurate Olive Oil Colour Measurement With Solutions From HunterLab

HunterLab is a leader in spectrophotometry with a range of rapid and accurate equipment available for food manufacturers. When you need to measure the colour of olive oil, our Vista spectrophotometer excels in accurate measurement and user-friendly functions. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our equipment.