What is olive leaf extract?
Olive leaf extract is derived from the leaves of olive trees. It is distinct from olive oil, which is harvested directly from the olive fruit. While olive oil is used primarily for cooking and as a food ingredient, olive leaf extract is processed into a concentrated form as a supplement.
What are olive leaf extract’s main benefits?
Olive leaf extract’s main purported benefit is its effect on cardiovascular health and metabolic health. Some research has found that olive leaf extract reduced blood pressure in people with prehypertension and hypertension[1] and in the general adult population.[3] However, the quality of the research was quite low. More recent research found no effect on blood pressure or other markers of cardiometabolic health.[2] Given the low quality and limited amount of research, olive leaf extract might be beneficial for cardiovascular health, but these findings should be interpreted with caution.
What are olive leaf extract’s main drawbacks?
How does olive leaf extract work?
Olive leaf extract works primarily through its polyphenols, such as oleuropein. These substances are believed to have numerous benefits, such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects.[5][6] However, a majority of these benefits come from in vitro and animal studies.
What are other names for Olive Leaf Extract
- Olea europaea L
- Olive leaf polyphenols
- Olive oil
- Olive oil polyphenols
Dosage information
For cardiovascular health, studies include dosages ranging from 500 mg to 1000 mg per day.[1][2] Many products contain a specific percentage of oleuropein, the main active compound. Common percentages range from 5% to 20% of oleuropein. However, the optimal percentage of oleuropein is unclear, based on existing research.
Olive leaf extract is usually sold in capsule, liquid, or tablet form.
Frequently asked questions
Olive leaf extract is derived from the leaves of olive trees. It is distinct from olive oil, which is harvested directly from the olive fruit. While olive oil is used primarily for cooking and as a food ingredient, olive leaf extract is processed into a concentrated form as a supplement.
The main bioactive in olive leaf extract appears to be oleuropein, which is a highly pungent compound claimed to be the cause of olive oil's distinct taste.[9] Black olives tend to have their oleuropein content decline towards maturation,[10] with some species having no detectable oleuropein at full blackening.[11] This is thought to be related to an increased level of esterase enzyme activity which metabolizes oleuropein into other compounds.[12]
Olive leaf extract’s main purported benefit is its effect on cardiovascular health and metabolic health. Some research has found that olive leaf extract reduced blood pressure in people with prehypertension and hypertension[1] and in the general adult population.[3] However, the quality of the research was quite low. More recent research found no effect on blood pressure or other markers of cardiometabolic health.[2] Given the low quality and limited amount of research, olive leaf extract might be beneficial for cardiovascular health, but these findings should be interpreted with caution.
Olive leaf has a history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in the Mediterranean, including Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Israel, Morocco, and Turkey. Its use also extends to Africa, where the Sotho, Xhosa, and Zulu tribes also use olive leaf for medicinal purposes.[7]
Traditionally, olive leaf has been used to treat diabetes, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis. Some other traditional uses for olive leaf include use as a diuretic, emollient, fever reducer, treatment for urinary and bladder infections, and as a treatment for headaches.[8][7]
Olive leaf extract works primarily through its polyphenols, such as oleuropein. These substances are believed to have numerous benefits, such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory effects.[5][6] However, a majority of these benefits come from in vitro and animal studies.
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References
- ^Muhammad Asyraf Ismail, Mohd Noor Norhayati, Noraini MohamadOlive leaf extract effect on cardiometabolic profile among adults with prehypertension and hypertension: a systematic review and meta-analysisPeerJ.(2021 Apr 7)
- ^Álvares AA, Garcêz A, Silva LT, Averbuch N, Garavaglia JOlive leaf extract effect on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Nutr Rev.(2024 Jan 29)
- ^Razmpoosh E, Abdollahi S, Mousavirad M, Clark CCT, Soltani SThe effects of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Diabetol Metab Syndr.(2022 Oct 21)
- ^Vaughan Somerville, Rachel Moore, Andrea BraakhuisThe Effect of Olive Leaf Extract on Upper Respiratory Illness in High School Athletes: A Randomised Control TrialNutrients.(2019 Feb 9)
- ^Vogel P, Kasper Machado I, Garavaglia J, Zani VT, de Souza D, Morelo Dal Bosco SPolyphenols benefits of olive leaf (Olea europaea L) to human health.Nutr Hosp.(2014 Dec 17)
- ^Acar-Tek N, Ağagündüz DOlive Leaf (Olea europaea L. folium): Potential Effects on Glycemia and Lipidemia.Ann Nutr Metab.(2020)
- ^Somova LI, Shode FO, Ramnanan P, Nadar AAntihypertensive, antiatherosclerotic and antioxidant activity of triterpenoids isolated from Olea europaea, subspecies africana leaves.J Ethnopharmacol.(2003 Feb)
- ^Ghazaleh et alOlive Leaf: From Tradition to ClinicTrends in Pharmaceutical Sciences.(2016-12)
- ^Omar SHOleuropein in olive and its pharmacological effects.Sci Pharm.(2010 Apr-Jun)
- ^Limiroli, R. et al1H and 13C NMR characterization of new oleuropein aglyconesJ. Chem. Soc., Perkin Trans. 1.(1995)
- ^Bianco, A. et alIsolation of cornoside from Olea europaea and its transformation into halleridonePhytochemistry.(1993-01-20)
- ^Amiot, M-J. et alAccumulation of oleuropein derivatives during olive maturationPhytochemistry.(1989-01)
