A recent article in by Lindsay Christensen in ProHealth has comprehensively analysed the benefits of hydroxytyrosol, a small polyphenol found in olive oil and olive leaf products.
Hydroxytyrosol is excellent at neutralising free radicals and can be a powerful tool in the fight against oxidative stress and chronic disease.
Oxidative stress is a harmful process in which the body produces more free radicals than it is able to fight. It is caused by environmental toxins, infections, and an unhealthy diet. Over time, it can contribute to the development of chronic diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
What is Hydroxytyrosol?
Hydroxytyrosol was first discovered in the wastewater from olive oil processing. A polyphenol, it is present in all parts of the olive plant but is most concentrated in olive oil. It is much more easily absorbed by the body than other antioxidant compounds. It is both fat and water-soluble, and is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and tissues.
On the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) scale, a measure of antioxidant capacity, hydroxytyrosol has been found to surpass all other known antioxidant compounds regarding its free radical-fighting power. Its ORAC value of 68,576 is 15 times higher than the ORAC value for green tea and three times higher than that for CoQ10.
Its ability to absorb cell-damaging free radicals is 15 times higher than for green tea and three times higher than for CoQ10.
The antioxidant benefits of hydroxytyrosol
A large number of scientific studies have been conducted to assess its therapeutic potential. Research indicates that hydroxytyrosol may be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of several important oxidative-stress induced diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, diabetes, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
While there are many supplements available that claim to contain high doses of this polyphenol, nutrition experts advise that it’s best to get your antioxidants via natural sources; hydroxytyrosol is best included in the diet by consuming olive oil.
The video below explains more about the properties of hydroxytyrosol.
Note: On the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) scale, a measure of antioxidant capacity, hydroxytyrosol has been found to surpass all other known antioxidant compounds regarding its free radical-fighting power. Its ORAC value of 68,576 is 15 times higher than the ORAC value for green tea and three times higher than that for CoQ10.