In this episode we're talking about fake, adulterated olive oil. So, what the heck is going on with olive oil, you ask?

Well, let me put it this way...it's expensive as all get out (as 2Chains would say, it's the "most expensivist"), it's cut with other seed oils that can cause health problems, it's an industry run (basically) by the "agro-mafia", it's labeling regulations don't exist, so producers can put whatever they want on the label, AND a few of the major sources of olive trees in Europe have a bug infestation so serious that it might bring an end to the olive oil import industry within a few years. Not to mention, we want the health benefits - namely, polyphenols.

Polyphenols are naturally occurring plant compounds that help manage blood pressure, reduce inflammation and regulate blood sugar, but when we're consuming adulterated olive oils cut with seed oils like safflower, sunflower, canola, soy or peanut oils, then we're dealing with a whole different barrel of monkeys.

Many of those seed oils are not only pressed from GMO crops (commonly sprayed with glyphosate, aka weed killer), but they are polyunsaturated fats that do not contain polyphenols at all. In fact, they have the exact opposite effect of olive oil (a monounsaturated fat). Not only that, polyunsaturated fats are the fats that can increase your risk of heart disease and cause inflammation.

 I'm not going to belabor the point here, but it's a pretty "greasy" issue and neither producers nor retailers have any incentive to do anything to stop this madness.

Luckily, you're going to listen to this episode, get some ideas about what we can do, and share it with someone you love so that we can all stay informed and healthy.

Time Stamp 

04:45 - The business of olive oil

07:33 - The most "expensivist" olive oil

09:48 - Industry standards are not being met

12:03 - Why it matters - polyphenols

14:49 - There's an "agro mafia" massive olive oil scandal

17:04 - America is the dumping ground for adulterated olive oil

21:26 - Xylella fastidiosa across Europe is destroying olive trees

23:36 - Things we can do to verify what we're buying

29:19 - Is the olive oil in your kitchen real?