Olive Leaf Extract

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 is the main bioactive of olive leaf extract?

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. Black olives tend to have their oleuropein content decline towards maturation, with some species having no detectable oleuropein at full blackening. This is thought to be related to an increased level of esterase enzyme activity which metabolizes oleuropein into other compounds.

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 and in the general adult population. However, the quality of the research was quite low. More recent research found no effect on blood pressure or other markers of cardiometabolic health. 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 the traditional uses of olive leaf?

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. 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.

What are olive leaf extract’s main drawbacks?

Clinical trials in humans have found olive leaf extract to be generally well tolerated. There are some reports of stomachache, headache, and acne after supplementation. However, more research is needed to fully understand any potential drawbacks of olive leaf extract supplementation.

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. However, a majority of these benefits come from in vitro and animal studies.