The study of the Seven Countries which was organized by Anzel Keys
towards the end of the 1950s, greatly surprised the international
scientific community. The Cretans, whose food floated in oil, were
found to have the best health in the world.
Empiric studies prove clearly that Cretans, the people who consume olive
oil most intensively, are least likely to suffer from cardiac infarctions and
cancer. Statistically, the life expectancy of Cretans is 10 years higher.
The nutritionist Udo Pollmer attributes this fact to oleoropein, an active
ingredient. He describes it as a "very reactive substance that could be
easily transformed into a variety of other active agents".
"Light-Products", advertised pseudo-fats:
Numerous studies have proved that "fooling" the fat calories by
light-products does not work. The human body is an integral sensory
system which distinguishes between real calories and agents (fats and oils)
and mere palatal enjoyment (fats from modified starch and proteins)
that have no impact on nutrition.

 
Source: Nikos & Maria Psilakis: Olivenöl, die Kultur der Olive, Kreta, 2000