What are olive oil benefits and side effects? Is olive oil low fodmap? Gluten free? Acidic or alkaline? Vegan? Good for you? Healthy? Sustainable? Here are olive oil pros and cons: all the info on olive oil that every ethical consumer wants to know…
Food is something we consume every day and if you’re like me, you do all the research you can to make sure you don’t hurt yourself, the planet, animals or others when shopping. As an ethical consumer myself, I am giving you all the info I’ve found on olive oil benefits and side effects.
You are going to learn all about olive oil benefits and side effects. This will include olive oil benefits for your health and potential risks, olive oil water footprint and olive oil carbon footprint, olive oil sustainability, if olive oil is vegan or impacts animals in other ways, and much more.
After learning if olive oil is good or bad for you, the environment, animals and human rights, you will be prepared to make the best choices you can the next time you buy food.
This post is all about olive oil benefits and side effects that every ethical consumer should know.
Olive Oil Benefits And Side Effects
Health
Olive oil benefits for health may include:
- brain function
- reduced joint pain and swelling from rheumatoid arthritis
- bone strengthening
- controlled blood cholesterol
- detoxification
- Alzheimer’s prevention
- liver health
- lower blood pressure
- reduced inflammation
- lower risk of some cancers
- protect “bad” LDL cholesterol from oxidation
- lung function
- excessive blood clotting prevention
- stroke prevention
- stomach ulcers and stomach cancer prevention
- heart disease prevention
- reduced risk of chronic diseases
- reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- weight loss (when consumed in moderation)
Olive oil side effects may include:
- gallstones (when consumed excessively)
- weight gain (when consumed excessively)
Additionally, olive oil is…
- Gluten Free
- Not a common Food Allergen
- Low-FODMAP
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Environment
Water footprint: high, it takes 14,431 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of virgin olive oil / 1,729 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of virgin olive oil, 14,726 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of refined olive oil / 1,765 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of refined olive oil
Carbon footprint: high, 4.5 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of olive oil, a car driving equivalent of 10.25 miles or 16.5 kilometers
Destruction: high, olive oil production is relatively destructive, soil erosion, olive plantations are deserted in dry areas, soil erosion often increases later and leads to desertification, a lot of waste is produced in the process, which is is very polluting and even poisonous, waste contains phenols, poisonous for humans and animals when ingested, breathed in or when they come into contact with skin, the waste also contains phytotoxic and antimicrobial substances that kill plants or stop their growth
Olive oil is…
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Sustainable Cooking
Animals
Killed: none, olive oil production does not require any animals to be killed
Harmed: none, olive oil production does not require any animals to be used
Animals indirectly killed or harmed: wild songbirds, commercial night-time olive harvesting (mainly in Spain and Portugal) can involve vacuum techniques that kill migratory songbirds, intentional activities may involve capture, death, disturbance, retention, destruction of nests and eggs, Portugal’s night harvesting machines vacuum up some 96,000 birds each year, an initial report by the Government of Andalusia published in 2018 states approximately 2,600,000 birds could be killed due to night-harvesting techniques every year in Spain alone, be sure to buy Non-GMO/organic, as pesticides harm and kill wildlife and ecosystems by contaminating soil, water, air and plants that animals eat
Olives oil is…
- Vegan
- May kill or harm migratory songbirds
- Harmful to wildlife and ecosystems unless organic
Laborers
Health and safety: varies, overall, agriculture continues to be one of the most dangerous industries, farmworkers may be subject to dehydration, heat stroke, unprotected exposure to harmful, toxic chemicals and pesticides, unsafe machinery and clean drinking water may not always accessible
Living conditions: varies, laborers are often exploited, they may face tough working conditions including long hours in the sun and heat performing physically exhausting tasks, labor laws and rights may or may not be in place, even if worker protection exists, employer violations may go unreported, refugees and migrant workers are especially vulnerable to abuse and mistreatment, fearing consequences of job loss or deportation
Wages: varies, generally farmworkers earn meager wages, there are many cases of underpaid agricultural workers, wage theft and no overtime payment or benefits
Olive oil…
- May involve worker exploitation, laborer issues, human rights concerns (depends on the brand)
Where is most olive oil from?
The world’s top olive oil exporting country is Spain, followed by Italy, Portugal, Tunisia, Greece, Turkey, Argentina, Germany, USA and Chile.
Most of the world’s olive oil is produced in Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Greece, and Italy.
Is olive oil nutritious?
Yes! Olive oil is rich in healthy monounsaturated fats and contains large amounts of antioxidants.
Is olive oil gluten free?
Yes, olive oil is gluten free. Olive oil is a naturally gluten free food.
While celiac disease may not be as rampant as many marketing trends lead us to believe, you may have a gluten sensitivity…
Celiac and gluten sensitivity symptoms are similar and may include:
- recurring abdominal pain
- chronic diarrhea
- constipation
- tingling
- numbness in hands and feet
- chronic fatigue
- joint pain
- unexplained infertility
- low bone density (osteopenia or osteoporosis)
There are hundreds of potential symptoms, many of which are also symptoms of other conditions.
Going gluten-free easier than ever with this: Gluten and Gluten Free Foods List
Is olive oil a common food allergen?
No, olive oil is not a common food allergen. Some people may experience allergic reactions to olive oil but it is relatively rare by comparison.
A group of the eight major allergenic foods, AKA the Big-8, include:
- milk
- eggs
- fish
- crustacean shellfish
- tree nuts
- peanuts
- wheat
- soybeans
Severe food allergies can be life threatening. Following ingestion of a food allergen, a person with food allergies can experience a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Persons may still be allergic to and have serious reactions to foods other than the eight foods identified by the law.
Be aware of common dietary restrictions and food allergens with this: The Big 8 Most Common Food Allergens List
Is olive oil low FODMAP?
Yes, olive oil is low-FODMAP and fits into a low-FODMAP diet.
A low FODMAP diet may help those with bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome).
It’s all about knowing your body. Observe what works and what doesn’t. You body might even react negatively to a low-FODMAP food simply due to intolerance. Everyone is different! Be mindful and patient. Take time to get to know what’s best for your physical health and overall wellbeing.
Water footprint of olive oil?
Olive oil has a relatively high water footprint compared to other foods.
It takes 14,431 liters of water to produce 1 kilogram of virgin olive oil / 1,729 gallons of water to produce 1 pound of virgin olive oil.
Did you know that water is a finite, non-renewable resource? Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
How much water does it take to produce an apple? A serving of rice? A steak dinner?
We need to be aware of something referred to as a “water footprint”. That is, the amount of fresh water utilized in the production or supply of goods we consume. As it turns out it takes significantly more water to yield foods that come from animals than foods that come from plants. Imagine how much water a cow needs to consume to generate a piece of beef. Not only how much water a single cow drinks, rather all the water that went into producing the crops that the cow ate.
Find out how much water your food consumes with this: Water Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
Carbon footprint of olive oil?
Olive oil has a relatively high carbon footprint compared to other foods.
It takes around 4.5 kg CO2e to produce 1 kilogram or 2.2 pounds of olive oil, a car driving equivalent of 10.25 miles or 16.5 kilometers.
Food not only has a water footprint but also a carbon footprint, known as CO2e, which stands for carbon dioxide equivalent. Since carbon measurements are a bit more difficult to comprehend, it is common to equate CO2e to the distance which a car drives in miles or kilometers.
When calculating carbon emissions, some factors may include…
- farm equipment
- animal feed production
- hothouses (greenhouses)
- food processing
- packaging
- transport
- refrigeration
- freezing
- package waste and more
But that’s not all!
It’s best to keep the following in mind when grocery shopping:
- shopping locally reduces transportation emissions
- food without packaging reduces waste as well as the carbon footprint
- refrigerated and frozen foods increase carbon emissions
- seasonal foods reduce carbon emissions from hothouses (greenhouses)
- growing plant-based foods at home is the most environmentally sustainable method with zero carbon footprint
Find out how much carbon your food emits with this: Carbon Footprints of Foods and Ingredients List
Is olive oil sustainable?
Olive oil production is relatively unsustainable due to its high water footprint, high carbon footprint and other factors like erosion.
Olive plantations are deserted in dry areas and soil erosion often increases later and leads to desertification. A lot of waste is produced in the process, which is is very polluting and even poisonous.
Such waste contains phenols, poisonous for humans and animals when ingested, breathed in or when in contact with skin. Additionally, the waste also contains phytotoxic and antimicrobial substances that kill plants or stop their growth.
Read more about ‘What Makes Food Sustainable Or Unsustainable?’
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Sustainable Cooking
Is olive oil vegan?
Yes, olive oil is vegan.
Olive oil is an oil made from olives, a type of fruit, and not an animal product or byproduct, therefore making it a vegan food.
However, wild songbirds are often harmed and killed, at times even intentionally. Commercial night-time olive harvesting (mainly in Spain and Portugal) can involve vacuum techniques that kill migratory songbirds. Intentional activities may involve capture, death, disturbance, retention, destruction of nests and eggs.
Portugal’s night harvesting machines vacuum up some 96,000 birds each year and an initial report by the Government of Andalusia published in 2018 states approximately 2,600,000 birds could be killed due to night-harvesting techniques every year in Spain alone.
Go vegan for animals!
It’s the best way to help animals and it’s not as difficult as you may think. Speak for animals with your actions, for they cannot speak at all.
Going vegan is easier than ever, at a glance with this: Vegan and Non Vegan Foods List
Does olive oil have human rights issues?
At this time there are no major concerns with olive oil production but that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening!
It’s important to stay aware of human rights concerns and worker exploitation that may come with specific brands.
Did you know the single largest employer in the world is agriculture? The labor involved behind each and every product cannot go unrecognized.
Some known problems include workplace health and safety, child labor, gender inequality, inadequate pay, wage theft and exploitation. Workers can even experience harassment, humiliation and violence and unfair employers often fail to provide laborers with access to shade, drinking water, restrooms and breaks. Consequently, laborers can face nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion, dehydration and heat stroke -the leading cause of farmworker death!
Such mistreatment is like modern day slavery. Workers are often afraid to report issues because they fear it will result in losing their jobs or deportation.
Fair trade organizations fight to ensure better social, environmental and economic standards.
We can improve people’s lives with foods we eat every day simply by buying products that are certified fair trade.
Be sure to read up on this list of ‘Foods You Should Always Buy Fair Trade‘
This post was all about olive oil benefits and side effects.
Sources:
Oil, olive, salad or cooking – FoodData Central – USDA
Olive Oil and Olive-Pomace Oil Grades and Standards
The green vegans, Why olive oil is bad for the environment
