Laconiko, a producer of award-winning single-origin extra virgin olive oil, announced a new educational collaboration with Mary Flynn, PhD, RD, a leading researcher and educator on the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil. The partnership aims to advance accurate, science-based consumer education about olive oil, with a particular focus on high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil.
As consumer interest in extra virgin olive oil and healthy eating continues to grow, Laconiko is investing in science-based consumer education to help close the gap between emerging research and what consumers understand about olive oil, polyphenols, and health. "We're seeing more consumers take an interest in how to select a high-quality olive oil that can offer health benefits," said Laconiko founder/producer Diamantis Pierrakos. "But as interest grows, so does the misinformation. We want to help connect consumers with the research and the researchers who are doing the work, so they can make more informed decisions."
Mary Flynn, an Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown University, has spent decades researching the relationship between extra virgin olive oil, nutrition, and health. Her research and expertise make her a leading voice in helping consumers understand what the science says about high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil and its potential role in a healthy diet. She is co-author of the books LOW-FAT LIES, high fat frauds and the healthiest diet in the world (Lifeline Press, 1999) and A Pink Ribbon Diet (Da Capo Press, October 2010), which is a weight loss program and cookbook for women who have had breast cancer based on her research of the plant-based, olive oil diet that she has developed.
The collaboration launches with a free educational webinar, "Discover the Health Benefits of Olive Oil with Mary Flynn, PhD, RD," on Thursday, August 27, at 5 p.m. Eastern. The webinar will be available to consumers through YouTube. A recording of the event will be available on YouTube for those unable to view the live webinar.
During the webinar, Flynn will discuss the science behind the health benefits associated with premium extra virgin olive oil, what polyphenols are and why they matter, how much extra virgin olive oil to consume as part of a healthy diet, and practical and delicious ways to incorporate extra virgin olive oil into everyday meals.
"I'm excited to share what decades of research have taught us about extra virgin olive oil and its role in a healthy diet," shares Mary Flynn. "My hope is that participants come away with a better understanding of the science, along with simple and delicious ways to incorporate more olive oil into their everyday meals."
The webinar is the first in an ongoing educational initiative between Laconiko and Flynn. As part of the collaboration, Flynn will also contribute educational articles and insights for the Laconiko website covering olive oil, nutrition, healthy eating, and healthy aging. To learn more about Laconiko's educational initiative and upcoming articles featuring Mary Flynn, PhD, RD, visit Laconiko's blog.
Laconiko is a fourth-generation family business producing high-phenolic extra virgin olive oils, with a heavy emphasis on maximizing their health-promoting properties. With an exceptional collection of fruit vinegars and balsamic vinegars sourced from family farms, their olive oils are crafted exclusively from Koroneiki and Kalamata olive varietals grown on the family estate in Lakonia, Greece. Laconiko's oils are celebrated for their purity, flavor, and exceptionally high quality. Brothers Diamantis and Dino Pierrakos carry forward generations of tradition, passion, and craftsmanship, creating olive oils that honor their heritage while meeting the highest modern standards.
This initiative matters because it addresses the growing consumer demand for reliable information about extra virgin olive oil and its health benefits. By partnering with a respected researcher, Laconiko is helping to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding, empowering consumers to make more informed choices about the foods they eat.
