An industry conference in the Spanish province of Jaén will celebrate the health benefits of liquid gold. The setting is fitting, with the recent announcement of a large increase in olive oil exports from the province.
Andalusia, the Spanish comunidad autónoma (CCAA) that Jaén is located in, is the leading exporter of agricultural food and drinks, comprising 25 percent of the national total. On a more local level, olive oil exports from Jaén have nearly quadrupled compared to last year, reaching €148 million ($209 million).
On September 25, 2014, El Centro de Interpretación Olivar y Aceite de Úbeda will put on a conference titled Virgen Extra, Patrimonio Saludable, or Extra Virgin, Healthy Heritage, bringing together experts from olive oil promotion, health and gastronomy.
The center is a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of Jaén’s olive oil industry, specifically within the town of Úbeda — which considers the olive a socioeconomic base. José Luis Romera, president of of the center, explained that the objective of the program is to bring together a wide range of experts from various fields, under one roof.
He said that the event is the first of its kind in the industry, and is set to attract people from all over Spain and the world.
One highlight of the program is the presentation of an ongoing study that examines the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet. Predimed, first established in 2003, assembled a multidisciplinary team examining how cholesterol levels, blood pressure, blood glucose and inflammation were impacted by adhering to the diet. Participants include 16 groups spread throughout Spain and are composed of university researchers, clinicians, physicians, nutritionists and epidemiologists.
The registration cost for the conference is €5. For more information visit the event website.
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