A study by the University of Jaén and other international institutions has shown that consuming olive oil can help prolong life. It has been observed that men generally consume slightly more olive oil than women. However, in countries where women consume more olive oil, they tend to live longer than men, and vice versa.

The researchers traveled to Acciaroli, a town in Italy known for its high proportion of centenarians, where more than 10% of the population is over 100 years old. There, the inhabitants had high levels of a hormone that can help blood circulation, and small molecules that appear to be linked to longevity and well-being.

The study also focused on the Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil, and the genetics of the people of Acciaroli. It is thought that centenarians in the region may have a special gene that allows them to better benefit from certain foods, contributing to their longevity.

In addition to the conclusions of the study before, the obvious relationship between longevity and the Mediterranean diet is corroborated by data on life expectancy in Mediterranean countries where olive oil is the basis of the diet. This is demonstrated by data extracted from the World Bank: Spain (83,1), Italy (82.9), Malta (82.7), France (82.2), Cyprus (81.8) and Greece (80,6).