Is Bryan Johnson’s Olive Oil Worth the Price? An Evidence-Based Review for Europeans
Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint olive oil is high quality—but is it worth the cost for European consumers? Learn how it compares to European high-polyphenol options.
24 April 2025
·5 min read
In the world of premium health products, few names generate as much buzz as Bryan Johnson. His Blueprint protocol—a data-driven regimen aimed at reversing biological age—includes a daily dose of high-polyphenol extra virgin olive oil. But with a $35 price tag plus international shipping, is his olive oil actually worth it for European consumers?
Why Olive Oil Matters in the Blueprint Protocol
Bryan Johnson’s protocol is built on data-driven health optimization. Olive oil plays a surprisingly big role, making up around 15% of his daily calories—about 3 tablespoons per day. But not just any olive oil will do. Johnson demands oil that meets strict standards for polyphenols, freshness, and other quality markers.
The reason is that extra virgin olive oil that meets these standards (especially those high in polyhenols) has been associated with health benefits in relation to:
- Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness (study)
- Antioxidant capacity (study)
- Cardiovascular risk (study)
- Blood–Brain Barrier Function (study)
Bryan Johnson’s Olive Oil Criteria
Unlike standard supermarket options, Johnson’s olive oil must meet an high bar for freshness and key quality markers.
These criteria go far beyond traditional quality labels like “extra virgin.” Below are the exact specifications Johnson uses when selecting the olive oil that makes up 15% of his daily calories:
- Polyphenols > 400 mg/kg, measured by HPLC or 1000 mg/kg by NMR
- Oleic acid > 72%
- Peroxide value < 9 meq/kg
- Free fatty acids < 0.3%
- Diacylglycerols > 90%
- Third-party lab tested on quality, heavy metals and contaminants
- Harvested within the past 12 months
- UV-protective bottle
These benchmarks are well above average—but not out of reach for high-quality producers in Europe.
Blueprint Olive Oil vs Others
Bryan Johnson’s Blueprint olive oil is known for its strict quality standards—but it’s not the only high-performance option out there. For Europeans seeking similar or even greater health benefits, the "Green Machine" is a strong alternative.
Both oils are crafted for people serious about longevity and nutrition. But when you look at the details, key differences emerge — especially in polyphenol content: Green Machine has almost twice the amount of polyphenols, and it are the polyphenols that are the most important biomarker to look at when it comes to health benefits.
Here’s how the two oils compare across all core health and quality metrics:
OlvLimits‘s Green Machine | Bryan Johnson's Olive Oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Polyphenols | 799 mg/kg | > 400 mg/kg |
| Peroxides | 4 meq/kg | < 9 meq/kg |
| Oleic Acid | 76.67% | > 72% |
| Acidity | 0.17% | < 0.3% |
| Fresh | Harvested at least every 12 months | Harvested at least every 12 months |
| Lab-tested on heavy metals and contaminants | ||
| UV protective packaging |
Why the Polyphenol Level Matters
The concentration of polyphenols directly affects the health benefits associated with olive oil consumption. This is illustrated in a comprehensive review published in Nutrients that compared the effects of extra virgin olive oils rich in polyphenols to low-phenol olive oils and other dietary fats. It found that:
- Blood pressure: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly lower in participants consuming high-polyphenol EVOO compared to those consuming low-phenol oils and other fats.
- LDL oxidation and cholesterol: High-polyphenol EVOO reduced LDL oxidation — a major cardiovascular risk factor — and, in some cases, lowered LDL cholesterol more effectively than refined or low-phenol oils.
- HDL cholesterol quality: High-polyphenol EVOO improved the protective function of HDL cholesterol, even when total HDL cholesterol levels did not increase significantly.
- Blood sugar control: Participants consuming high-polyphenol EVOO experienced better blood sugar regulation and improved insulin sensitivity.
Importantly, the review emphasized that not all oils labeled "extra virgin" deliver these benefits unless their polyphenol content is sufficiently high. As Dr. Mary M. Flynn, Associate Professor of Medicine at Brown University, noted:
“Based on current testing in most countries, an oil could meet a standard for ‘extra virgin,’ but it might not have phenols, and it is the phenols that provide the health benefits.
Is Blueprint Olive Oil Worth It in Europe?
If you're strictly following Bryan Johnson’s protocol and want the exact products he uses, the Blueprint olive oil may make sense for you. But, for most health-conscious Europeans, OlvLimits' Green Machine meets—and even exceeds—all Blueprint criteria, offering a better price and nearly twice the amount of polyphenols.
