Study design and procedure
OOs, word of mouth
The OLIVAUS studyStudy participants were recruited in Melbourne, Australia through La Trobe University using email advertisements, mailing lists, word of mouth and posters on campus. The inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the OLIVAUS study to identify eligible participants are presented elsewhereStudy participants were instructed to consume a daily dose of 60 ml of either HPOO or LPOO, over two intervention periods of 3 weeks each, added in their usual diet in its raw form. A 3-week study duration was chosen based on previous literature, where most studies were relatively short in duration with most intervention phases lasting on average, 3 weeksThe intervention OO were stored in the same dark, sealed containers, thus ensuring blinding of the participants and researchers. They were supplied to study subjects at the beginning of each intervention period. To ensure further blinding to the type of OO, each container was assigned a different code number that was concealed from study participants and researchers. The code was disclosed only after the completion of the statistical analyses. Participant’s adherence to the intervention was assessed by measuring the volume of unconsumed OO returned at the end of each intervention period. To confirm further adherence, study participants were also asked to record the daily volume of OO consumed over each 3-week intervention period using a log sheet. This information was collected by the researchers at the end of each intervention period. Detailed descriptions and rationale of the study’s protocol and information on the phenolic concentrations and composition of the two intervention OOs are provided elsewhere