There is little doubt about the health benefits of olive oil, with much still to be revealed and clinically proven. As a graduate of Italy's Slow Food founded university of science and gastronomy, knowing food's sensory qualities, provenance, and authenticity are an everyday mantra. Alice and Cécile's book provides insight into all things olive oil and sets you on a path to understand why "good olive oil should remind you of a garden."
—Lee-Anne Mundy, accredited practicing dietitian and graduate of the University of Science and Gastronomy
Cécile Le Galliard...represents themost important element in the promotion of extra virgin olive oil in France. Her vision and the contents of her website contribute in a decisive way to give value to professionals and toFrance's extra virgin olive oil culture.
—Juana. Alba Peñamil,CEO & Editor Mercacei and Olivatessen
Cécilekeeps her followers abreast of the latest olive culture in France. She has managed to turnher hobby into a full time job and is recognized as an olive oil specialist especially since completing the olive oil tasting course she did with the support of the International Olive OilCouncil. I follow all her activities, those relating to the media, events organized by theindustry and on her dedicated olive oil website. Her contribution to a better understanding of olive oil in France is essential.
—Juliette Cayol- Press Officer,International Olive Council
The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil: Stronger Bones, Cancer Prevention, Higher Brain Function, and Other Medical Miracles of the Green Nectar is a guide to the tremendous health benefits of incorporating olive oil into one's diet. Drawing upon research from doctors, The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil discusses the role olive oil plays in the Mediterranean diet, and provides tips for cooking with, buying, and storing olive oil. An excellent, reader-friendly guide, The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil is highly recommended. A handful of recipes incorporating olive oil are provided, but it should be noted that The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil is not primarily a cookbook.
—Midwest Book Review
Academic, scientific, and enthusiastic, this book makes strong arguments for incorporating olive oil into your daily life.
Alice Alech and Cécile Le Galliard’s well-researched The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil is an enthusiastic presentation of the story behind that bottle of olive oil in the cupboard—a more complex item than people might think.
Virgin olive oil, the book reveals, is the only food product required to pass sensory testing before it can be bottled and sold. There are actually panels of professional taste testers who sip, assess, and classify the oils. And scientific studies suggest that this oil could have health benefits far beyond what was previously thought.
The book is broken down into three parts that cover the history of olive oil and how it’s made, scientific evidence of its potential health benefits, and consumer guidance on buying and using the “green nectar.” The main focus is on the middle section, where exciting studies of olive oil’s impact on health and wellness are discussed, including its potential to treat and prevent arthritis, cancer, heart attacks, and Alzheimer’s disease.
A wealth of practical information is given, from advice on what kinds of olive oil to use with different foods—including a number of delicious recipes—to what to look for on the label when choosing a bottle from the numerous choices at the store.
Alech and Le Galliard show their passion for their subject with their enthusiastic tone and through the extensive research they present, through both secondary sources and direct interviews with researchers. While occasionally it is difficult to tell if exuberant statements are opinions or actual results from a scientific study, there is plenty of evidence here to suggest that olive oil and its many components have great potential health benefits and that further research is a worthy endeavor.
This book leans toward an academic summary of the history and production of olive oil and its positive effects on health, but it also contains much for those who simply want to learn more about incorporating olive oil into their daily diets. CHRISTINE CANFIELD
–Foreword Reviews
"The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil" by Alice Alech and Cecile Le Galliardis anelegantly written book by two authors who aredeeply knowledgeableabout their subject and who clearly love their topic.The book covers all the widely known benefits of olive oil plus a few more.It takes the reader from the use of olives from Minoan Crete to the tables of fine, health-conscious dining of today, all infused with an understatedbut scholarlyrendition, that draws the reader into subconscious agreement with the authors' authoritative and persuasive perspectives.
The health benefits of olive oil is told lucidly, without medical hoopla or complicated exposition. Stronger bones; cancer prevention; higher brain function; natural anti-inflammatory properties; skin rejuvenation; cardio-vascular benefits; and reduction of the risk of diabetes There are short sections on: the roots of olive oil in Mediterranean history; understanding fats; and the production of olive oil from olives. A bonus is the section on understanding the label and on buying Extra-Virgin olive oil. Another section deals with the different categories of olive oil and yet another offers the reader some suggestions on the use of olive oil in the kitchen.
There is a quiz on olive oil. And for those hungering for more, there is a comprehensive glossary of terms as used by the experts on olive oil production and analytics. An extensive reference section can direct the new olive oilaficionado to the authors' trove of olive's fountain of knowledge.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and if you are interested in any aspect of olive and olive oil -history, production, use, health benefits - you will too.
—Tulsi Dyal Singh, MD
The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil is one of the best books I’ve read! The authors do a wonderful job oneducating the reader on the history, biochemical characteristics, and production of olive oil. Thechapter on cancer prevention was fascinating to me as a practicing oncologist. Most important, thisbook is evidence-based, well referenced, and scientifically sound. Belongs in everyone’s library.
—Mark A. Marinella, MD, FACPBoard Certified, Medical Oncology/Internal Medicine,Dayton Physicians Network, Cancer Care, Dayton, OH, USA,Assistant Professor of Medicine, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, OH, USA,President/Founder, Phytodense Foods, LLC, Dayton, OH, USA,Author of: Metronomic Phytonutrition: How Daily, Regular Intake of a Plant-based Diet May
Decrease Cancer Risk
The 7 Wonders of Olive Oil uses a conversational style to explore the virtues of oliveoil, in particular extra virgin olive oil. The authors’ enthusiasm for the flavours andhealth benefits of this natural juice is evident in every page.
The book is divided into three parts: the first gives a brief history of the use of oliveoil in the Mediterranean Diet and an overview of the current state of the industry; thesecond presents an anthology of research into the health benefits; part 3 deals with thepracticality of purchasing and using extra virgin olive oil.
Part 2 is the spine of the book describing the 7 wonderful ways in which olive oil hasan impact on metabolism and consequently on some of the most common ailmentsexperienced by humans. Research supporting the health benefits is well articulatedand case studies personalise each disease. As a male I do note that the case studies arealmost exclusively female and coverage of male ailments such as prostate cancerwould provide some gender balance and broaden interest.
Part 2 is strong, gives a useful summary of research and alone justifies adding thisbook to your olive oil library.
Part one, while giving a broad view of the world olive oil industry, could give more insight by analysing the current status of olive oil compared to other vegetable oils.Realistic analysis would reveal that per capita consumption in almost all countries isdeclining. Perhaps less reliance on the view of the International Olive Council andmore interviews with the commercial side of the industry would be more revealing.To enjoy the health benefits of olive oil, consumers must be able to access and affordit.
Part three describes how to taste and describe the flavours of extra virgin olive oil andgives hints on what to purchase. The use in the kitchen comprises mainly a series ofrecipes. Here, or in the chapter on health benefits, the interaction of olive oil withparticular ingredients, such as tomatoes and fish, of the Mediterranean diet could bediscussed in more detail.
The book ends with a quiz, a useful glossary and a comprehensive list of references.
The authors have taken on a formidable task in covering the 7 (Health) Wonders ofolive oil and providing enough objective backgrounding. Their style is engaging andtheir enthusiasm evident in achieving this aim. The book will be a welcome additionto any library or collection of books on olive oil.
–Simon Field,Extra Virgin Olive Oil Savantes
