Research has shown that modern Greeks, despite a wanting health care system, have a longer life expectancy and the world’s lowest rates of heart disease and cancer, as well as the lowest mortality rate due to cardiovascular ailments.
A 30 year study on the Greek island of Crete confirmed that this is true due to the extensive consumption of olive oil there (30 litres per person annually). Overall, Greeks consume 23 litres per person of olive oil annually, as compared to 12 litres for Italians and ¼ litre for North Americans respectively. And since many research projects have shown that the composition of olive oil greatly depends on climatic conditions, soil quality and fruit variety, it is not hard to conclude that there must be something special about Greek olive oil.
