why's everyone talking about olive oil and cocoa as a superfood for longevity?

Bryan Johnson’s Don’t Die doc has everyone talking Longevity again.

Turns out, high-polyphenol foods like cocoa and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are legit superstars when it comes to high antioxidants and polyphenol ingredients.

Polyphenols = antioxidants = longevity.

Here’s why it works:

- Protects against free radicals
- Reduces oxidative stress
- Fights the effects of aging

Found in:

- Berries
- Nuts
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
- Raw Cacao
- Green tea
- Dark leafy greens
- Turmeric
- cinnamon
- Pomegranates
- Beans
- Lentils
- Avocados

Antioxidants are like cleanup crews for your cells, fixing damage caused by free radicals.

Polyphenols (a specific type of antioxidant found in plants) take it even further—they help:

- reduce inflammation,
- improve cholesterol
- even keep blood sugar levels in check.
- amazing for skin too: fewer wrinkles, better elasticity, and more glow.

When it comes to finding ingredients rich in polyphenols, convenient and affordable to take daily there is a consensus around 2 ingredients within the list shared above.

EVOO + Cacao.

But how you should source them?

EVOO:

• cold-pressed,

• high-polyphenol olive oil (anything over 500 mg/kg is considered great).

• check the harvest date and aim for oils bottled within the last year (eg: this year = harvest 2025 = sept/nov/dec 2024)

• High oleic acid content (over 76%)

• Packaged in UV-protectant glass bottles, safeguarding its nutritional potency for longer durations.

• I’ve started using a high-polyphenol olive oil and undutched cocoa powder with over 400 mg of flavanols per serving, and they’re honestly game-changers

Cacao:

The darker, the better.

• Go for minimally processed - ideally 100% undutched (retains natural acidity and full nutrient profile for maximum health benefits.)

• Look at the high flavanol content. Aim for something like 400 mg per serving

• Avoid sugary stuff

• Avoid overly processed cacao - that kills most of the antioxidants.

• tested for heavy metals

At Zero we have started using high-polyphenol olive oil (813 mg/kg) and undutched cocoa powder with over 400 mg of flavanols per serving, and they’re honestly game-changers.

- EVOO100 intake: 1 tbsp (20ml) before meal + 10 ml with my meal

- Cacao100: 2 scoops (20g) with milk + collagen + coffee

Tldr:

If you want to fight aging and feel better, load up on antioxidants and polyphenols. EVOO and cacao are two of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to start.

Source:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10294820/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5927356
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9598595/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26922974/