On 11 and 12 June, the city of Jaén became the international hub for research into the relationship between lifestyle habits and the development of diseases, with the hosting of the ‘PREDIMED Omics Symposium 2026 & 6th International Congress on Olive Oils and Health’, a leading event that has brought together, for the first time in Spain, some of the world’s leading experts in preventive medicine and extra virgin olive oil (EVOO).
The congress, organised by the University Institute of Research on Olive Grove and Olive Oils (INUO) at the University of Jaén, in collaboration with Harvard University and the University of Navarra, and with the support of the Provincial Council of Jaén, represents a strategic event for advancing scientific knowledge regarding the role of EVOO in human health.
The opening ceremony, held at the Jaén Exhibition and Conference Centre (IFEJA), was presided over by Nicolás Ruiz Reyes, the Rector of the University of Jaén. He highlighted the “world-class” nature of this forum, which is intended to be a space for rigorous reflection and the transfer of knowledge between the scientific community and the business sector. He also emphasised the University of Jaén’s position as a leader in the generation of applied knowledge, stating that “Jaén is not just a producer of olive oil; it is a place where people think about EVOO”.
This sixth conference edition incorporates advances in emerging disciplines such as metabolomics and precision medicine. These are considered key tools for understanding how EVOO compounds interact with human biology at a molecular level, thereby contributing to disease prevention. The scientific programme examines evidence relating to the impact of olive oils on areas of particular relevance to public health, including cardiovascular disease, oncology, neurodegeneration and ageing.
Juan Bautista Barroso, the director of INUO and chair of the organising committee, highlighted the importance of incorporating nutrition research based on omics technologies into this year’s event. This enables progress to be made in identifying biomarkers and developing precision medicine strategies for the study of olive oils.
Attending the opening ceremony were Francisco Javier Lozano, the Jaén Provincial Council’s Councillor for Promotion and Tourism; José Miguel Herrero Velasco, Director-General for Food at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food; and Jaime Lillo López, Executive Director of the International Olive Council.
The conference brings together some of the most influential scientific figures on the international stage, including Frank B. Hu, Head of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; Miguel Ángel Martínez-González, Professor of Public Health at the University of Navarra and coordinator of the PREDIMED project; Heather Eliassen, Professor of Epidemiology at Harvard; Pietro Ferrari, Head of Nutrition at the International Agency for Research on Cancer; and many other renowned specialists.
The scientific programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach to exploring the beneficial effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) in preventing chronic diseases, and examining the impact of olive groves on global health. This includes their contribution to sustainability and combatting climate change. The conference programme also covers topics related to healthy nutrition, the Mediterranean diet, and the production, marketing, and consumption of olive oils. A dedicated session will also present the latest findings on the prevention of chronic diseases in the 21^(st) century, focusing particularly on the role of metabolomics in studying the Mediterranean diet.
A series of activities aimed at knowledge transfer and dissemination will round off the event, including guided tastings, visits to olive oil mills, and gastronomic experiences linked to EVOO. These activities will help to strengthen the connection between science, the production sector, and society.
This conference further establishes the INUO at the University of Jaén as a global leader in olive grove and olive oil research, strengthening Jaén’s position as a key centre for knowledge, innovation, and EVOO-related health research.
