The Olive Tree Exemplifies Health and Sustainability

A new review positions the olive tree as a model for the “One Health” framework—linking human, animal, and environmental well-being through a single agricultural system. 

Environment: Olive groves support carbon sequestration, soil health, biodiversity, and may aid wildfire resilience/land recovery when managed well because they recover from fires relatively quickly. They are evergreen so they support carbon sequestration all year round which is more than other agicultural crops.

Human health: Regular olive oil consumption (and even olive-leaf teas) is tied to cardiometabolic and other benefits, reinforcing the Mediterranean diet’s role. 

Circular economy: Olive by-products (pomace, leaves, pits) can be upcycled into energy, animal feed, biostimulants, and materials—boosting farm sustainability and rural economies. 

Researcher Tassos Kyriakides, assistant professor of biostatistics at the Yale School of Public Health and co-author of the study concludes by saying, “Everything ties together,” he said. “When you put the olive tree at the center, you see how human health, animal health and the environment are all connected.”

“And even within each, there’s complexity, the mechanisms at the cellular level, the ecosystems at the landscape level, the cultural traditions that sustain it. It’s fascinating to think it all starts from this tree,” he added.

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Oleacein – Another Helpful Polyphenol

Because of its distinctive characteristics, scientific interest in oleacein only began relatively recently. The compound was first discovered and isolated in olive leaves, and its presence and importance in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) were not immediately understood. Researchers now recognize oleacein as not only one of the most abundant phenolic compounds in virgin olive oils but also among the most chemically active. In contrast, hydroxytyrosol—a well-studied phenolic—exists in olive oil only in small amounts.

“Oleacein is an ester of hydroxytyrosol, but unlike hydroxytyrosol, which dissolves only in water, oleacein is amphiphilic, meaning it can dissolve in both water and fats,” explained one of the researchers.

Oleacein’s Potential Health Impact

This dual solubility may help explain oleacein’s broad activity within the human body, enabling it to interact with both lipid and aqueous systems. Beyond that, it exhibits strong anti-inflammatory effects, though through different mechanisms than better-known EVOO phenolics like oleocanthal. Importantly, oleacein also acts as a metabolite—it appears in the body as a byproduct after digestion of phenolic esters, including itself.

As Fátima Paiva-Martins noted, “Hydroxytyrosol is highly water-soluble, so very little remains in the oil itself. What we detect in higher concentrations are its esters, such as oleacein, which then break down into hydroxytyrosol during digestion.” 

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Understanding Oleuropein’s Role in Extra Virgin Olive Oil

At Apollo, we do not specifically test for oleuropein because all polyphenols in extra virgin olive oil contribute to its remarkable health benefits. However, we believe it is always valuable to explore and understand the unique properties of each polyphenol individually.

Oleuropein, a key polyphenol in extra virgin olive oil, significantly influences both its sensory characteristics and health benefits. This compound contributes to the oil’s bitterness and pungency, serving as a natural defense mechanism in olive trees and indicating high-quality oil. The concentration of oleuropein varies based on olive variety, milling techniques, and storage conditions.

Research has shown that oleuropein and its derivatives activate specific bitter taste receptors, enhancing the distinctive flavor profile of extra virgin olive oil. Beyond taste, oleuropein exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, potentially aiding in disease prevention and overall health promotion. Studies suggest its beneficial effects on conditions such as cancer, hypertension, and heart diseases. 

In summary, oleuropein is integral to the unique taste and numerous health advantages associated with extra virgin olive oil, underscoring the importance of this compound in both culinary and medicinal contexts. For more information visit this article.

A new Harvard University study found that consuming half a tablespoon of olive oil daily is linked to a lower risk of dementia-related death. Researchers analyzed data from 92,383 U.S. adults over 28 years and discovered that consuming at least seven grams of olive oil daily was associated with a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death.

This study builds on established links between olive oil consumption and reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease. WHO data shows that over 55 million people had dementia worldwide in 2023, with rates expected to triple by 2050. Scott Small from Columbia University noted that dementia in its final stages affects brain functions crucial for heart rate and breathing.

The study highlighted the importance of olive oil regardless of adherence to the Mediterranean diet or the Alternative Healthy Eating Index. Replacing five grams of mayonnaise with olive oil was linked to a 14% lower risk of dementia-related death, while replacing margarine showed an 8% reduction.

Researchers acknowledged limitations, including the study’s observational nature and a non-representative sample mostly comprising older, white healthcare professionals. Future studies should provide olive oil to participants to assess its direct impact on cognitive function.

Mediterranean Diet Improves Liver Function

A recent study suggests that adhering to the Mediterranean diet can prevent the onset of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and alleviate symptoms for those already affected.  NAFLD involves the accumulation of fat in the liver, known as steatosis. The progression of NAFLD may lead to liver damage and increase the risk of chronic illnesses like kidney disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure.  The study also emphasized the role of extra virgin olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, in promoting health, and researchers suggested that the diet might be crucial for preventing NAFLD onset in the broader population.

The Mediterranean diet, even for just one year, was found to improve NAFLD conditions and positively impact gut microbiota. Lifestyle interventions, including weight loss, exercise, and adopting the Mediterranean diet, are crucial as there is currently no medication to cure NAFLD. 

The study focused on metabolic syndrome patients over 60, showing that stricter adherence to the Mediterranean diet led to substantial improvements in gut microbiota. The gut microbiota’s composition is crucial for immune and metabolic functions, and changes observed in the study implied improved gut health and reduced risk of chronic illnesses.

However, the researchers acknowledged the need for further assessment beyond the specific sample used in the study.