Part IV — High-Phenolic EVOO for Healthy Aging | PJ Kabos "Phenolic Shot" | PJ Kabos Guide
- Melanie Panagiotopoulou
- 2 days ago
- 17 min read
PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil — Part IV
This article is Part IV of the PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil — where ancient olive-growing wisdom meets modern science, your guide to choosing, tasting, and enjoying exceptional extra virgin and high-phenolic olive oil. We hope it inspires you in your olive-oil journey.
In this article we explore how phenolic compounds support heart, brain, metabolic, joint, and whole-body vitality across the years.
High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil for Lifelong Vitality
When a highly respected physician recently wrote to us, she said:
“I’ve been recommending your gorgeous Gold Olive Oil — the PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot — to my patients. While they all worry about the extra calories, they are beginning to understand that olive-oil calories and candy-bar calories are not the same! Would you have something that explains the profound health benefits of your magical Gold Olive Oil — especially regarding hypertension, cardiac health, diabetes, gout, dementia, menopause, hair thinning, and healthy aging?”
Her thoughtful question inspired this overview which we created for healthcare professionals, wellness advocates, and anyone interested in how an extremely high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil, such as the one she recommends to her patients, our PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot, supports whole-body vitality.
Drawing on current scientific research and Mediterranean tradition, it explores how phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil contribute to heart, metabolic, joint, brain, bone, skin, and hair health — and why quality, not quantity, is what truly matters for healthy aging.
Why PJ Kabos Family Reserve Phenolic Shot Is Different
All olive oils are healthy, but PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot goes a step further.
It’s an extremely high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil, rich in natural plant compounds called phenols (often referred to as polyphenols). These powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents help protect the heart, brain, bones, and cells from age-related damage.
Because PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot is so concentrated in these beneficial compounds, you can enjoy its full health benefits with less oil overall. While phenolic content varies between harvests and individual health outcomes are dose-dependent, often just half a tablespoon is enough, meaning fewer calories yet the same or more nutritional impact compared with other EVOOs.
This makes it an ideal choice for anyone mindful of maintaining a healthy weight while aging well, and a delicious way to support vitality through every stage of life.
Some Areas of Health Benefit
Let's explore a few ways that high-phenolic olive oil supports key areas of lifelong well-being:
Heart and Blood Pressure Health
Study Spotlight: The PREDIMED Trial
Metabolism, Weight, and Diabetes
Inflammation, Joint Comfort, and Gout: Oleocanthal & Ibuprofen
Brain Health and Memory
Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Healthy Aging, Menopause, and Skin Vitality
Hair and Thinning
Heart and Blood Pressure Health
A strong heart begins with healthy blood vessels — and that’s where olive oil truly shines.
The phenols in PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot help protect blood lipids from oxidative stress, keeping arteries more flexible and reducing everyday inflammation that can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease.
The European Union officially recognizes this benefit — allowing olive oil producers to state, for their raw oil, that:
“Olive-oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress.” (For the entire statement, please see Commission Regulation (EU) 432/2012.)
This means the health claim specifically applies to raw olive oil that retains its natural phenolic compounds — exactly as enjoyed in a Phenolic Shot, taken straight or used as a finishing oil drizzled fresh over foods.
Clinical studies, including the landmark PREDIMED trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, “Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet” (1), showed that participants who followed a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil experienced fewer major heart events and improved blood pressure levels.
Just one to two tablespoons a day—or just half a tablespoon of PJ Kabos current Phenolic Shot, thanks to its extremely high phenolic concentration—is enough to support heart and circulatory health.
Takeaway
Daily use of high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil has been shown to support healthier blood pressure, better circulation, and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease (see Olive Oil Reports: Cardiovascular and Two Anti-inflammatory Healthy Benefits: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease). Accordingly, the phenols in PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot help protect blood lipids from oxidative stress and inflammation — keeping your heart younger, stronger, and more resilient with every golden spoonful.
Study Spotlight: The PREDIMED Trial
The landmark PREDIMED study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (“Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease with a Mediterranean Diet”), followed more than 7,000 adults in Spain for nearly five years. (1) The study was reanalyzed and republished in 2018 after investigators identified irregularities in part of the sample. The updated findings confirmed that those who followed a Mediterranean diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil experienced a 30% lower risk of major cardiovascular events.
But that's not all. In related research from the broader PREDIMED program, participants following a Mediterranean-style diet also showed improvements in metabolic markers, and a separate randomized PREDIMED sub-trial reported a reduced incidence of Type 2 diabetes among the Mediterranean diet groups.
Metabolism, Weight, and Diabetes
As the physician who inspired this article put it perfectly:
"Olive oil calories and candy bar calories are not the same!"
And the doctor is so very right. While both provide calories, olive oil’s calories come with beneficial fats and bioactive compounds that support health rather than harm it. The calories in Phenolic Shot come packaged with nature’s healthiest fat — monounsaturated fatty acids — and powerful phenolic compounds that actually support your metabolism.
These natural compounds help improve insulin sensitivity, calm inflammation, and promote more stable blood sugar levels.
In long-term population studies, people who regularly used extra virgin olive oil as their main source of fat — particularly in place of butter, margarine, or processed snacks — had a significantly lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, better blood sugar control, and smaller increases in body weight over time.
In clinical research, such as the PREDIMED study: “Olive oil in the prevention and management of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies and intervention trials,” (2) participants following a Mediterranean-style diet rich in extra virgin olive oil also showed improved metabolic markers and a reduced incidence of diabetes, even when overall calorie intake was similar.
And as mentioned earlier, because our gold bottle — Phenolic Shot — is so concentrated in these valuable phenols, you need less oil to achieve the same (or greater) benefit than with other EVOOs. That means fewer calories overall — yet more nutritional value, making it an ideal choice for anyone conscious of maintaining a healthy weight while aging well.
Takeaway
Research shows that replacing processed fats and snacks with extra virgin olive oil can help improve insulin sensitivity, stabilize blood sugar, and support healthy weight management over time. Because PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot is so concentrated in beneficial phenols, you need less oil for the same metabolic benefit — meaning fewer calories and more nourishment for balanced, healthy aging.
Inflammation, Joint Comfort, and Gout: Oleocanthal & Ibuprofen
If you’ve ever noticed a slight peppery tickle in your throat after tasting a strong extra virgin olive oil, you’ve experienced something remarkable — oleocanthal.
The distinctive throat “sting” in robust extra virgin olive oil — that peppery tickle or mild cough — is primarily caused by oleocanthal, one of the most unique phenolic compounds in high-phenolic olive oils like PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot.
Oleocanthal acts as a natural anti-inflammatory, similar in mechanism to ibuprofen, helping to ease everyday inflammation that contributes to joint stiffness, discomfort, and long-term wear. This was first described in a 2005 Nature study, “Phytochemistry: Ibuprofen-like activity in extra-virgin olive oil” (3) — where researchers found that oleocanthal inhibits the same COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes targeted by ibuprofen.
Of course, the amounts are very different — you’d need far more olive oil than anyone would ever consume to match a tablet — but the mechanism is the same, and over time, daily use of high-phenolic EVOO offers gentle, cumulative anti-inflammatory support.
That familiar “throat sting” isn’t a flaw — it’s a sensory sign of phenolic potency. For those managing joint or gout discomfort, pairing high-phenolic EVOO with a Mediterranean-style eating pattern can help reduce inflammation and support more comfortable movement over time.
Takeaway
The natural phenolic compound oleocanthal in Phenolic Shot acts like a gentle, food-based cousin of ibuprofen, helping — over time — to calm everyday inflammation that contributes to joint stiffness and discomfort. Combined with a Mediterranean-style eating pattern, daily use can help promote easier movement, reduced inflammation, and long-term joint comfort — the natural way.
Brain Health and Memory
Healthy aging isn’t only about years — it’s about staying clear, focused, and independent. The phenols in PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot help protect brain cells from oxidative stress and support healthy communication between neurons, which are key to memory and overall cognitive vitality.
In a large, long-term study published in JAMA Network Open — “Olive Oil Consumption and Risk of Dementia-Related Mortality in US Adults” (2024) (4) — researchers followed over 90,000 adults for nearly three decades. They found that those who consumed just over half a tablespoon of olive oil daily (≈7 g/day) had a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death, independent of overall diet quality. The researchers suggested that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds unique to extra virgin olive oil — particularly its high phenol content — may help protect brain tissue and delay the processes that lead to cognitive decline.
While no single food can prevent dementia, incorporating high-phenolic olive oil into your daily meals supports long-term brain health naturally — a simple, delicious way to nourish both body and mind.
Takeaway
Long-term studies show that adults who enjoy extra virgin olive oil daily have better memory, sharper cognitive function, and lower dementia-related mortality. The phenols in PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot help reduce oxidative stress in brain cells and support the kind of vibrant brain health that keeps you aging gracefully — inside and out. Think of it as nourishment for both body and mind.
Bone Health and Osteoporosis
Strong bones are essential for graceful aging — and maintaining them depends on more than just calcium. In recent years, researchers have found that the phenolic compounds in extra virgin olive oil may help support bone metabolism and strength, particularly during and after menopause.
These natural phenols — including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, and their derivatives — appear to help maintain a healthy balance between the body’s bone-forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing cells (osteoclasts). This balance is essential: osteoclasts clear away older bone so new bone can form, but excessive activity can accelerate bone loss. Olive-oil phenols also help protect bone tissue from oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which can weaken bones over time.
In a review published in the European Journal of Medical Research (5) scientists noted that olive-oil phenols show potential to reduce excessive bone resorption and improve bone density markers in both experimental and early human studies. Another population study in Mediterranean adults —Clinical Nutrition, “Extra virgin olive oil consumption reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the PREDIMED trial”(6) —found that those who consumed more extra virgin olive oil had a lower risk of osteoporosis-related fractures later in life.
Takeaway
The phenols in PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot may help maintain strong, resilient bones by protecting against oxidative stress and supporting healthy bone remodeling — the natural cycle of clearing and rebuilding bone. A small daily measure — paired with a nutrient-rich, Mediterranean-style lifestyle, regular walking, and light weight-bearing exercise (done under a doctor’s guidance) — offers gentle, natural support for aging gracefully from the inside out.
Healthy Aging, Menopause, and Skin Vitality
The same antioxidants that protect your heart, bones and brain also help you look and feel your best as you age.
During midlife and menopause, oxidative stress naturally increases, contributing to changes in skin texture, hair strength, and hormonal balance. The phenols and monounsaturated fats in Phenolic Shot nourish cells from within — supporting smoother skin, stronger hair, and healthier metabolism as part of your daily wellness routine.
In a British Journal of Nutrition randomized crossover study — “Daily consumption of a high-phenolic extra-virgin olive oil reduces oxidative DNA damage in postmenopausal women” (7) — researchers found that women consuming high-phenolic EVOO showed significantly lower oxidative DNA damage compared with those using lower-phenol oils. The phenols act as natural antioxidants, protecting cells from everyday wear and helping maintain vitality through hormonal transitions.
Whether enjoyed straight as a Phenolic Shot or drizzled over vegetables, beans, or whole grains, (See, How to Have a Phenolic Shot of EVOO | PJ Kabos Guide) this daily ritual delivers a little inner glow — a simple, Mediterranean way to age gracefully and beautifully.
Takeaway
Studies show that high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil helps reduce oxidative damage at the cellular level, supporting healthier skin, hair, and overall vitality during midlife and beyond. The result: smoother skin, stronger hair, and a glow that starts from within.
Hair and Thinning
For generations, Mediterranean families have turned to olive oil as a simple secret for keeping hair strong and healthy. In our own family, PJ Kabos’ founder’s grandmother, who lived to be over 103, made a pure olive-oil soap that she used each time she washed her hair — and her hair remained thick and lustrous all her life.
Today, science helps explain why this tradition works so well. The phenolic compounds in high-phenolic olive oils — including oleuropein, oleacein, and hydroxytyrosol — are rich antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress around the hair follicle, a key factor in hair weakening and thinning with age. These same compounds also help maintain a healthy scalp environment by calming inflammation and supporting cell renewal.
Emerging research, such as “Effects of Natural Polyphenols on Skin and Hair Health” (8), suggests that olive-derived phenols may protect hair follicles and encourage stronger, more resilient growth. While more human studies are still needed, the traditional practice of using olive-oil-based products aligns beautifully with modern insights into scalp and hair health.
Takeaway
The antioxidants and gentle fats in PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot help create the ideal foundation for healthy, resilient hair — nourishing scalp and strands naturally from the inside out. A little olive-oil wisdom, passed from generations past, continues to shine today.
How to Use High-Phenolic EVOO
Daily Wellness:
A phenolic shot: 1to 2 tablespoons straight (depending on the phenolic value of the oil) — or drizzled over food. Note: For PJ Kabos current Phenolic Shot only a little more than half a tablespoon is needed.
Finishing oil: Add to vegetables, soups, salads, or cooked grains after cooking. It's wonderful drizzled over toast with a touch of salt and oregano, similar to potato chips but without guilt.
Cooking: Most quality EVOOs remain chemically stable and healthful up to around 190 °C / 375 °F, ideal for sautéing, roasting, and light frying. High-phenolic EVOOs like PJ Kabos — Phenolic Shot, Robust, and Medium — stay stable up to 200–210 °C (392–410 °F).
While some of the more delicate phenolic compounds (for instance, hydroxytyrosol and oleacein) naturally diminish with heat, the oil’s heart-healthy monounsaturated fats remain stable, and high-phenolic EVOOs retain more of their protective compounds than ordinary oils.
The Phenolic Shot — the Gold Bottle — was specially crafted to be taken straight as a shot or as a finishing oil and, when enjoyed raw, it not only meets, but exceeds, the EU health-claim requirement for protecting blood lipids from oxidative stress. However, it most certainly may be used in cooking too.
See How to have a phenolic shot of EVOO | PJ Kabos Guide for simple ways to have your shot.
A Simple Habit for Lifelong Health
High-phenolic extra virgin olive oil isn’t a supplement — it’s a real food, rich in life-protective compounds that work naturally with your body.
Every spoonful of PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot brings you the essence of the Mediterranean: balance, vitality, and flavor in one golden drop.
Decades of research on the Mediterranean diet show that this simple, everyday ingredient supports heart, brain, and whole-body wellness — helping you age not just longer, but better. It’s a daily ritual of nourishment, connection, and care — a tradition that began with the ancient olive groves of the Mediterranean and continues today with every pour.
Conclusion
Small daily choices matter. Choosing a high-phenolic olive oil like PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot is not just delicious but a historic and science-supported way to care for your body, mind, and spirit — naturally, every day. See What Is It About High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil That Has Made It So Popular Today? for a sweet lifestyle glimpse into PJ Kabos and the family's use of high-phenolic EVOO.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MUCH HIGH-PHENOLIC OLIVE OIL SHOULD I HAVE DAILY?
Most research supports consuming about one to two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day. However, because PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic Phenolic Shot is especially rich in polyphenols, just half to one tablespoon is often enough to deliver comparable antioxidant benefits — fewer calories, full potency. The key is daily consistency for long range support.
CAN HIGH-PHENOLIC OLIVE OIL REALLY SUPPORT HEART AND BRAIN HEALTH?
Yes — numerous clinical and population studies, including the PREDIMED trial and long-term Harvard and JAMA Network studies, link daily extra virgin olive-oil use with better blood-pressure, circulation, and cognitive outcomes. The protective phenols in Phenolic Shot help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting healthy arteries and sharper brain function over time.
WHAT MAKES THE PHENOLS IN PJ KABOS HIGH-PHENOLIC EVOOS DIFFERENT FROM REGULAR EVOO?
Phenols — especially oleocanthal, hydroxytyrosol, and oleacein — are natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Because PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot is made from early-harvest Olympia olives, it contains exceptionally high concentrations of these compounds, verified by independent testing. That means greater heart, brain, and joint benefits with smaller servings.
CAN I COOK WITH THE GOLD BOTTLE — THE PJ KABOS PHENOLIC SHOT?
Yes — though crafted first and foremost as a wellness shot, the Gold Bottle performs beautifully in the kitchen too. Its exceptionally high phenolic content helps protect the oil from oxidation, while its naturally low free-fatty-acid (FFA) level supports a higher smoke point and greater stability during heating. You can comfortably use it for sautéing, roasting, or light frying — up to around 200–210 °C (392–410 °F) — without compromising quality or flavor.
However, as mentioned above in the Cooking section, its true strength — and what qualifies it for the EU-recognized health claim — is experienced when it’s enjoyed raw: taken straight by the spoonful, in a small shot glass, or drizzled fresh over food. That’s when you can taste, feel, and benefit from every precious phenol, carefully preserved through early harvest and gentle handling by PJ Kabos. And remember — that familiar peppery “throat sting” (sometimes not too gentle!) is the unmistakable sign of true phenolic power.
Cook with it occasionally, savor it daily — the Gold bottle is nourishment in its purest form.
CAN I STILL GET HEALTH BENEFITS FROM HIGH-PHENOLIC EVOO IF I COOK WITH IT?
Yes — and this is a great question. While some antioxidants are naturally used up as olive oil protects itself during cooking, a well-made high-phenolic EVOO still retains many of its beneficial compounds — far more than most other oils. Its heart-healthy monounsaturated fats remain stable, and its remaining antioxidants continue to offer gentle protection with every meal. That’s why Mediterranean families have cooked with olive oil for generations — it’s not just safe, it’s still nourishing. So yes — EVOO is still good for you when heated. You simply get maximum antioxidant benefit when it’s enjoyed raw. But even when cooked in normal conditions, it remains one of the healthiest and most stable fats you can use.
IS IT SAFE TO TAKE A PHENOLIC SHOT EVERY DAY?
Yes — extra virgin olive oil is a whole food, not a supplement. For most people, a daily phenolic shot is a safe, natural way to support wellness. As always, anyone with medical conditions should consult their physician.
Contents
PJ Kabos Guide to Olive Oil
Where ancient olive-growing wisdom meets modern science, your guide to choosing, tasting, and enjoying exceptional extra virgin and high-phenolic olive oil. We hope it inspires you in your olive-oil journey.
How olive oil quality is defined — and why the difference matters for taste, health, and daily use.
Why extra virgin and high-phenolic olive oils shine in real-life cooking, from sautéing to roasting.
Your simple daily ritual for harnessing the powerful antioxidants in high-phenolic olive oil.
IV. High-Phenolic EVOO for Healthy Aging | PJ Kabos Phenolic Shot | PJ Kabos Guide (current study)
How phenolic compounds support heart, brain, metabolic, joint, and whole-body vitality across the years.
How cholesterol works — and how extra virgin olive oil supports balance and heart health.
Subscribe and stay tuned — more chapters coming soon.
Please note: This guide is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your health and medical conditions.
Related Articles from the PJ Kabos Olive Oil Library
For Those Who Love to Dig Deeper:
6) Clinical Nutrition, “Extra virgin olive oil consumption reduces the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the PREDIMED trial”
7) British Journal of Nutrition randomized crossover study — “Daily consumption of a high-phenol extra-virgin olive oil reduces oxidative DNA damage in postmenopausal women” (2012)
Harvest 2024/25 High-Phenolic EVOOs from PJ KABOS
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic — "Phenolic Shot" Extremely Robust Taste
PJ Kabos Family Reserve Organic—"Phenolic Shot" is an award-winning, high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil that is extremely high in polyphenols, among the highest verified phenolic concentrations available in a true extra virgin olive oil today. Its intense bitterness and pungency clearly reflect the activity of these polyphenols.
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic—Robust, is an award-winning, high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ KABOS Family Reserve Organic—Medium, is an award-winning, high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ KABOS Family Reserve—Medium, is an award-winning, high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is high in polyphenols and adds a lovely taste and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ KABOS Family Reserve—Robust, is a high-phenolic extra virgin olive oil in an easy-to-store tin that is very high in polyphenols and adds depth, character and great health benefits to every meal.
PJ Kabos Chef's Selection — Delicate Taste the award-winning all-purpose, everyday extra virgin olive oil that you will reach for time and time again. Its delicate taste intensity makes it ideal for your every need, from frying the crispiest fries to baking your favorite cake.
Please enjoy having a look around our websites and PJ Kabos Amazon Store for more about our many high-phenolic olive oils, recipes, history, etc..
And follow along with us on Instagram for photos concerning olive oil production, our groves in Greece, articles about olive oil, family history and more.
Please note: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance regarding your health and medical conditions.