Editor’s note (August 2026): Oleocanthal and ibuprofen have shown some similar biological activity in laboratory research, but they have not been demonstrated to be equally effective or interchangeable treatments in people. Olive oil should not be used as a substitute for medication.
As I dive even deeper into research about “all things olive oil” while building my own brand of early harvest olive oil, I stumbled on this little-known statistic that olive oil has significant anti-inflammatory properties very similar to ibuprofen.
For those who purchased my “Agourolado” last year, you may have noticed a peppery burn in the back of your throat as it was going down.
Believe it or not, that burning sensation is actually a good indication that your olive oil is pure, fresh and more importantly– packed with the nutrients that give you the health benefits that come with consumption of olive oil.
That peppery burn is caused by high amounts of a natural compound called oleocanthal, which has shown an ibuprofen-like anti-inflammatory mechanism in laboratory research, according to studies.
This compound is being studied for possible roles in biological pathways associated with joint degeneration, neurodegenerative disease and cancer; that research does not establish clinical prevention or treatment.
Numerous researchers have concluded that oleocanthal in olive oil may be one of the main reasons the Mediterranean diet leads to longevity.
They even proposed that consuming high phenolic extra virgin olive oil on a daily basis could improve your health.
Of course, not all olive oils are created equally and if you’re adding olive oil to your daily regimen for health-benefit reasons, make sure you’re swallowing the real thing– burning sensation and all.
Most bottled grocery store brands have been adulterated with cheaper, older and less-quality oil. In fact, some manufacturers even try and REDUCE the peppery flavor to make it more amendable to the mass consumers’ palate.
Always ensure that your olive oil is from a single source and is labeled as high-phenolic. In the European Union, oils that are labeled “high phenolic” must contain a minimum of 250 mg/kg of polyphenols.
The October 2021 chemical analysis of my 2021 Agourolado revealed that it contains 1110 mg/kg of these compounds, or over 4 times the European Union requirement.
Following the 2024 harvest, I’ve brought my olive oil back for the third year. Bottles are now available for pre-order exclusively here.
