Oleocanthol has been shown to have a mild OxyFuel Reviewpainkilling effect, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory. While one cannot replace their painkillers with olive oil, daily intake of oil containing oleocanthol can, over time, limit damage caused by chronic inflammation. Therefore, the answer to the question 'which olive oil is healthiest' is this: the healthiest one has the highest level of oleocanthol.
Unfortunately, oleocanthol levels are not listed on labels. But we can tell whether an oil contains oleocanthol by tasting. Oleocanthol is the component responsible for the peppery bite, and produces a stinging sensation in the throat. This bite is why it combines so well with bread or cheese, because they produce a nice contrast of sensations.
Those same phytochemicals are suspected to be responsible for the oil's known effect to reduce blood pressure and increase HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol. HDL is the good cholesterol and raising HDL levels reduces risk of heart attack and stroke.