How Extra Virgin Olive Oil Can Help Reduce Oxidative Stress

Free radical-scavenging properties of olive oil polyphenols

^{Updated July 31st 2024}

One of the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil is that it can help to reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells, and they are produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to environmental toxins. Antioxidants are molecules that help to neutralize free radicals. Quality extra virgin olive oils, such as Morocco Gold, are rich in polyphenols, which are a type of antioxidant. Polyphenols can help to protect cells from damage caused by free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.

Benefits Of Antioxidants In Extra Virgin Olive Oil To Fight Disease

The COVID pandemic has reminded us of the importance of looking after your immune system and the anti-inflammatory properties of extra virgin olive oil could be a simple and effective way to do so.

By choosing a high-quality olive oil, rich in antioxidant compounds (or polyphenols) we can arm our bodies against harmful free radicals – the unstable atoms which can increase oxidative stress, damage the body’s cells and lead to a range of diseases.

The antioxidants in high-quality, cold-pressed, single-source extra virgin olive oil, such as Morocco Gold, are a powerful defense against the potential harm caused by free radicals. This type of olive oil is exceptionally rich in antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, and vitamin E. These compounds work synergistically to provide robust natural protection from oxidative damage. Polyphenols neutralize free radicals, preventing them from causing cellular damage, while vitamin E supports skin health and immune function. The high antioxidant content in extra virgin olive oil not only promotes overall well-being but also helps in reducing inflammation and lowering the risk of chronic diseases.

Why not choose the gift of health this holiday season and send a bottle of Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil to your loved ones? We have a range of promotions available for online purchases. Come and visit our online shop here.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Oxidative Stress and COVID-19

While the COVID-19 pandemic may seem to be behind us, new strains of the virus highlight the ongoing importance of maintaining a strong immune system. Improving our diet is a powerful way to help combat infections, and the Mediterranean Diet, which includes high-quality extra virgin olive oil, is an excellent place to start.

Nutritional Therapist Jennifer McDaniel asks: “Is there a BEST way to eat to support our immune health?  If we had to choose one, we’d say the research points to the Mediterranean Diet.”

And U.S. News currently ranks The Mediterranean Diet as number 1 in Best Diets Overall with a host of health benefits linked to its emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and extra virgin olive oil.

Infections or infectious diseases are caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi and various other disease-causing agents. Once an infection is contracted, the human body relies on the immune system to fight the infection through a range of cellular, inflammatory, and immune reactions. Although there are medications to treat infection, naturally derived food sources such as Extra Virgin Olive Oil also show promise in preventing and treating infection also.

Dozens of phenolic compounds have been identified in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), each with their own unique health benefits. One of the benefits of these compounds is they have high bioavailability, extensive research reporting the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral properties obtained from these compounds.

Why IS Extra Virgin Better Than Regular Olive Oil To Protect Our Immune System?

A study by researchers at the National Research Council’s Institute of Food Sciences and the University of Salerno has shown that polyphenols from three different olive oil varieties have an inhibitory effect against several bacterial strains.

The tests were performed using 2.5 and 4.9 micrograms of the three polyphenol extracts against different pathogens. The results showed that the minimum concentration necessary to inhibit the growth of the pathogenic tester strains was low for all the polyphenolic extracts. This confirmed their general capacity to inhibit the growth of pathogenic or unwanted microorganisms.

In particular, all three extracts were effective in inhibiting the growth of Escherichia coli, a bacterium that is one of the causes of urinary tract infections. The three extracts also were found to be capable of inhibiting the growth of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, a well-known pathogen that is responsible for the formation of biofilms. Biofilms are densely packed communities of microbial cells that grow on living or inert surfaces and surround themselves with secreted polymers. Because the protective shell can keep out potential treatments, biofilms are at their most dangerous when they invade human cells or form on sutures and catheters used in surgeries. In American hospitals alone, thousands of deaths are attributed to biofilm-related surgical site infections and urinary tract infections.

“They gave us remarkable results in terms of their activity against pathogenic species, namely those that are responsible for the formation of biofilms. This could be a basis of complementary studies to formulate ideal drugs of natural origin, composed of optimal mixtures of polyphenols, which are able to exercise with the minimum effort, in terms of quantity, and the maximum result, namely against the greatest number of pathogens, their antibacterial efficacy,”

Filomena Nazzaro, senior scientist at the National Research Council’s Institute of Food Sciences, Italy

Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6780878/

Why Buy Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil Like Morocco Gold?

Morocco Gold is one of the purest, unrefined extra virgin olive oils available and, thanks to our unique source in the foothills of The Atlas Mountains and attention to detail at every step of the growing, harvesting and pressing process, our oil is bursting with very high levels of polyphenols.

Morocco Gold is pressed from the Picholine Marocaine, the only type of olive to go into Morocco Gold. Oil from this variety is renowned for it’s high polyphenol count, oxidative stability and longevity.

Our olives are grown in a valley that is about 2,000 feet above sea level. This helps to create the additional climatic challenges that encourage polyphenol uptake within the olive tree. It is also an area with naturally occurring high phenols in the soil itself.

In fact,  this year’s harvest – now available for purchase online – has the highest ever recorded level of polyphenols in our oil at 644mg/kg. In fact, Morocco Gold Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains no fewer than six different polyphenols.  These are:

1. Oleocanthal
2. Oleacein
3. Tyrosol
4. Hydroxytyrosol
5. Oleuropein 
6. Ligstroside

The Role of Probiotics in Boosting Our Immune System

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria residing in our gut that play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced intestinal flora and supporting the protective functions of our digestive system. These “good” bacteria aid in digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, and help fend off harmful pathogens. Probiotics are particularly valuable after a course of antibiotics, which can deplete the natural bacteria in the digestive tract. By replenishing these essential microorganisms, probiotics help restore the gut’s natural balance, improve digestive health, and strengthen the immune system. Additionally, they can alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders, reduce inflammation, and even contribute to mental well-being by influencing the gut-brain axis.

According to the Olive Oil Times; “The use of olives as a source of probiotics may be preferable for those who are unable to eat dairy due to intolerances or those who require a healthy diet.”

Extra Virgin Olive Oil has high amounts of vitamins including vitamin E and K, and – crucially – is packed full of antioxidants to protect the body from oxygen-free radicals and help you fight off infection.  It does this in two main ways:

1/ Extra Virgin Olive Oil has anti-inflammatory properties

Due to the high levels of oleocanthal that are contained in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, it has been shown to perform similarly to anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen. Studies have shown that just four teaspoons of olive oil daily could help your body to combat conditions like arthritis, autoimmune diseases and even allergies. But, while Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Ibrufen have the same effect on treating inflammation, they have different effects on the body.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil can aid disease prevention

Another component of Extra Virgin Olive Oil that is known to have hugely beneficial properties is oleic acid which has shown the ability to destroy certain breast cancer genes.

In one recent study, researchers found that oleic acid can weaken a cancer gene found in 25 to 30 percent of all breast cancers.  It can also help you to manage diabetes and many cardiac conditions. Researchers have found that a Mediterranean diet with either extra virgin olive oil or mixed nuts can significantly reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Recent global health events have led many of us to delve deeper into the science behind protecting our bodies from infection and there is an abundance of research to help us find the answers.  And, with people spending more time than ever preparing meals for the whole family at home, we want to understand how our dietary choices can affect our overall health.

And, in the case of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, it really is worth your time and research.

Consuming plenty of nutrients as part of a varied and balance diet is essential for the health and function of all cells, including immune cells.