The Science of Olive Leaf Extract

Around the world, research papers showing the potential health benefits of Olive Leaf Extract are being widely published in respected journals and publications.

Based on several published research papers on Olive Leaf Extract, here is a list of summarised benefits:

• Cardiovascular Support: May help to support cardiovascular health – this is supported by research in published in in the European Journal of Nutrition⁽¹⁾.
• Blood Sugar Support: Helps support healthy blood sugar – published in the peer-reviewed journal PLosOne conducted by The Liggins Research at the University of Auckland.
• High Antioxidant Support: Olive leaf has demonstrated high antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.

CARDIOVASCULAR SUPPORT | Natural Cardiovascular Support Backed by Scientific Evidence

Research published in the European Journal of Nutrition⁽¹⁾ indicates that olive leaf extract* may help to support cardiovascular health.

This research has been part of a collaboration between the Hugh Sinclair Human Nutrition Unit at the University of Reading in the UK and the School of Food and Nutrition at Massey University in New Zealand. Comvita welcomed this new research, highlighting a natural approach to helping manage cardiovascular and overall health.

Researchers have previously shown olive leaf extract has a positive short term impact on cardiovascular health but this is the first research to show the beneficial effects over a longer timeframe (six weeks).

For further information, please refer to the European Journal of Nutrition reference below⁽¹⁾.

*Comvita® provided the Fresh-Picked™ Olive Leaf Extract Extra Strength products used in this research.

(1) Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers: a randomised controlled trial. Lockyer S, et al. European J. of Nutrition, 1-12, March 2016.

BLOOD SUGAR SUPPORT | Effect of Olive Leaf Extract on Metabolic Health

A clinical study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLosOne ⁽¹⁾ conducted by the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland, indicated that olive leaf extract may help to improve insulin secretion and the way it is taken up by the cells. The study was conducted by researchers from the Liggins Institute at the University of Auckland.

Insulin is an important hormone which controls metabolism of carbohydrates and fat by stimulating the transport of glucose and fat into cells.

Study results demonstrated that there was an improvement in the action of insulin on cells and secretion of insulin in response to blood sugar levels compared with the placebo treatment.

The results suggest olive leaf extract may assist in the maintenance of healthy blood sugar levels in healthy individuals.

Gold Standard clinical trials are randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled, cross-over studies.

(1) De Bock et al. (2012). Olive Leaf Extract improves insulin sensitivity: a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover trial. PlosOne.

HIGH ANTIOXIDANT SUPPORT | Antioxidant Capacity of 55 Medicinal Herbs

The results from this research⁽¹⁾ found that the highest radical-scavenging activity was found in Olea europaea (olive leaf).

(1) Antioxidant capacity of 55 medicinal herbs traditionally used to treat the urinary system: A comparison using a sequential three-solvent extraction process. Gobe G, et al. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, (13) 103-109, 2007.

Recommended readings below for more published information on Olive Leaf Extract:

1. A Modern Herbal Natural Standard Professional Monograph. (2012). Olive Leaf (Olea europaea). Retrieved from: www.naturalstandard.com
2. Rose, I. A. (2005). Chapter 10: Olea europaea. Medicinal plants of the world, Volume 3. Perrinjaquet-Moccetti, T et al. (2008). Food supplementation with an Olive (Olea europaea L .) leaf extract reduces blood pressure in borderline hypertensive monozygotic twins. Phytotherapy Research, 22:1239
3. Susalit, E et al. (2011) Olive leaf extract effective in patients with stage-1 hypertension - comarison with captopril. Phytomedicine, 18:251.
4. Cherif, S et. al. (1996). A clinical trial of titrated Olea extract in the treatment of essential arterial hypertension. J Pharm Belg. 1996, 5(2):69.
5. De Bock et al. (2012). Olive Leaf Extract improves insulin sensitivity: a randomised, double blinded, placebo controlled, crossover trial. PlosOne.
6. Benavente-Garcia, O et al. (2000). Antioxidant activity of phenolics extracted from Olea europaea leaves. Food Chemistry, 68:457.