From the olive grove to the table: the evolution of our diet and the nutritional value of olive oil 123 Across the board, olive oils are characterised by a favourable lipid profile, dominated by monounsaturated fatty acids, in particular oleic acid (omega-9), which is associated with beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and the modulation of inflammatory processes, whilst simultaneously having low levels of saturated fatty acids (Jiménez López et al., 2020; Farag & Gad, 2022). In addition to this profile — common to olive oils in general — extra virgin olive oil is distinguished by its high content of phenolic compounds, such as hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein and oleocanthal, which are responsible not only for its distinctive sensory properties but also for its widely documented antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects (Jiménez López et al., 2020; Silva Soto et al., 2025). These characteristics stem from its production process, which relies exclusively on mechanical methods, generally carried out at low temperatures, thereby preserving the integrity of the bioactive compounds and the product’s nutritional properties. Thus, the prominence of olive oil in the Mediterranean diet reflects an integrated approach to nutrition, which combines nutritional quality, traditional culinary practices, sustainability and cultural identity, reinforcing its contribution to the promotion of healthy and sustainable dietary patterns. Conclusion The Mediterranean Diet is recognised as a living intangible cultural heritage, whose significance stems from the convergence of dietary practices and lifestyles historically rooted in Mediterranean communities and their subsequent scientific systematisation and institutional recognition, culminating in its inscription by UNESCO as an expression of identity, culture and sustainability, of particular significance in the Portuguese context. In recent decades, the fast pace of life, combined with reduced time available to organise daily meals, as well as the gradual devaluation of shared meals, has been reflected in a gradual decline in the importance of meals in this context. Paradoxically, there has never been greater access to information on food and nutrition. Nevertheless, there is a tendency to favour simplistic narratives or quick fixes, often disconnected from food quality, production methods and the impacts associated with food systems. At the same time, in certain contexts, there has been a decline in the value placed on a balanced diet, as a result of the growing adoption of eating habits associated with other cultures, which are progressively supplanting the Mediterranean dietary pattern. Eating practices are embedded in complex contexts, influenced by multiple social, cultural, economic and environmental factors, which shape the way we organise our meals, select our food and structure our daily eating habits. These dynamics help to explain the gradual shift away from traditional dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean Diet, and the increasing adoption of less balanced eating habits. In this context, it is essential to promote greater dietary literacy and to value practices that strengthen the link between food, culture and health, whilst respecting the reallife contexts in which these practices take place. In this context, olive oil, as a cornerstone of the Mediterranean Diet, plays a central role not only because of its nutritional value, but also because of its cultural significance and its integration into balanced dietary practices. The fact that adherence to this dietary pattern remains relatively low, coupled with challenges relating to access, reinforces the need for public policies and integrated strategies that promote the appreciation and transmission of the Mediterranean Diet to future generations, taking into account not only the knowledge aspect but also the socio-economic contexts in which dietary choices are made. In this context, it is important to promote olive oil not in isolation, but as an integral part of a broader dietary model, the effective adoption of which results from a combination of information, accessibility, availability and the social context.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTgxOTE4Nw==