About Polyphenols
Polyphenols are naturally occurring compounds found in plant-based foods such as cocoa, tea, fruits, vegetables, and olive oil. Some polyphenols work as antioxidants, which means they neutralize harmful free radicals that potentially damage the body’s cells, leading to conditions like cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline. Polyphenols are one of many reasons why studies show that eating more plant-based foods is important for your overall health. Studies show that polyphenols help fight inflammation and may help lower the risk of several diseases such as heart disease, some types of cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Olive oil contains at least 30 different phenolic compounds, including oleacein, tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol. Phenolic content depends how the oils are processed and stored.
Health Benefits of Oleacein
Oleacein is one of the most abundant polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil. This phenolic compound has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, antimicrobial activity.
it seems to decrease the progression of atherosclerosis
A recent clinical trial published by NIH about chronic lymphocytic leukemia provided more insight. It showed that olive oil with a high oleocanthal and oleacein content decreased cancerous white blood cells. It also caused an increase in the specialized death of cancer cells. Nine out of ten patients experienced these results. It sated that daily intake of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is the major component of the Mediterranean diet, may be partly responsible for the increased life expectancy of the Mediterranean people.
Health Benefits of Oleocanthal
Oleocanthal acts as an anti-inflammatory agent and also has antioxidant properties. High oleocanthal olive oil causes a rupture of cancerous cells. It releases enzymes that cause cell death, without harming healthy cells.
Also, oleocanthal enhances a potential neuroprotective mechanism against diseases like Alzheimer’s. A recent study from Italy showed that oleocanthal-rich olive oil helps facilitate weight loss and battles chronic disease. Ingestion of EVOO with a high oleocanthal concentration had beneficial effects on various metabolic parameters, inflammation and abdominal fat distribution. This is an important finding for a category of patients that has a high cardiometabolic risk.
Health Benefits of Oleuropein
Oleuropein health benefits include antioxidant activity, Natural anti-inflammatory activity,
Low blood glucose values, Free radicals’ removal and has cardioprotective and neuroprotective activity, providing protection against heart disease.
Health Benefits of Hydroxytyrosol
It thrives in olives, olive pulp, olive leaves and in lesser amounts in olive oil. It is a colorless, odorless liquid. A study published in 2022, studied the mechanism through which olive oil polyphenols, and especially hydroxytyrosol, preserve brain health and provide new ways to promote anti-aging and protection against cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Olive oil polyphenols display important beneficial properties against atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. In a clinical trial published on November 10th, 2020, in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, it was seen that polyphenol rich olive oil and moderate polyphenol olive oil improve cognitive impairment. Patients who consumed either type of EVOO performed better than participants who only followed the Mediterranean Diet. A recent study showed that hydroxytyrosol reduced the oxidative and inflammatory response and suggests that hydroxytyrosol plays a supportive role for the immune system. A 2021 study found that high polyphenol olive oil may lower the risk of vascular disease associated with type 2 diabetes. While similar results have been reported in previous studies, this trial revealed that the type of olive oil is an important variable. Specifically, a single dosage of 50ml of high polyphenol EVOO improved the ability of blood vessels to expand when blood flows through them. This indicates that polyphenol-rich olive oil could be a suitable food for adults who are in risk of type 2 diabetes. It is important to note that the endothelial function was not improved by consuming refined olive oil. According to the researchers, the health benefits derive from the polyphenol concentration and diversity in specific olive oils, which result to anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation properties.
How is High Polyphenol Olive Oil Certified?
In 2012, the EU published Regulation 432/2012 This regulation establishes a list of permitted health claims for foods. The health claim for olive oil polyphenols is the following: “Olive oil polyphenols contribute to the protection of blood lipids from oxidative stress. “ Conditions apply for the use of the health claim. The claim is valid for olive oils that contain at least 5 milligrams of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives (e.g., oleuropein complex and tyrosol) per 20g of olive oil, approximately one tablespoon and a half. To bear the claim information shall be given to the consumer that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 20g of olive oil. Certified laboratories can analyze olive oil samples to reveal the oil’s phenolic profile. If the Regulation’s conditions are valid, the olive oil can bear a high phenolic label. There are many methods to reveal the phenolic profile of EVOO. The most common methods are High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)