Oleuropein is a phenolic compound found in the leaves, olive skin, flesh, seed and oil of the olive plant. The compound gives the olive it’s bitter taste. Olives are normally processed to remove oleuropein for consumption.
In recent times, oleuropein has attracted scientific attention due to various health benefits being reported.
Oleuropein, along with other compounds found in olives, has powerful antioxidant properties which may be responsible for the antioxidant and disease fighting properties of olives oil.
Some of the reported health benefits of oleuropein include:
- lowers blood pressure
- reduces oxidative damage
- protects the heart
- supports healthy cholesterol
- protects the brain and nervous system
- inhibits the growth of cancer cells
We know that a Mediterranean diet is one of the healthiest diets in the world and this is usually associated with the consumption of foods prepared with olive oil. Oleuropein may play a huge part in this.
How does oleuropein help you to lose weight? On this page we’re going to look at the science behind this potent compounds ability to help trim waistlines.
Ways Oleuropein Helps With Weight Loss
New oleuropein studies may suggest that the compound can help fight obesity in a number of ways. We looked at some of these studies. Here are some of the ways oleuropein can help you lose weight.
1. Oleuropein activates brown adipose tissue (BAT).
Studies have shown that polyphenols, which are the largest group of phytochemicals in plants, can cause thermogenesis in fat cells therefor offering benefits to the management of obesity and obesity related issues.
Oleuropein is the main polyphenolic compound found in olives and olive oil and the weight management benefits are definitely there. A 2008 study concluded that oleuropein can activate brown adipose tissue and enhance noradrenaline and adrenaline secretions in rats.
Brown adipose tissue has been an exciting new development in the fight against obesity in recent years as scientists have rediscovered that adults may have active brown adipose tissue.
The tissue is also known as brown fat and is found mostly in babies to produce non-shivering response to cold conditions. The tissue, through thermogenesis creates heat energy to keep the subject warm. Adults develop a shivering response to cold so they don’t necessarily need this tissue. However, it is present and can even be “recruited” through the browning of white adipose tissue – the type of fat we don’t want.
When brown adipose tissue is activated, it can burn through white fat cells using them to create energy which results in body mass reduction.
2. Oleuropein Causes Lypolisis In Fat Stores
Lypolisis is the process where fat stores are broken down to release fatty acids and glycerol. Oleuropein has been shown to cause this along with another compound, oleaanolic acid, found in olive leaf extract.
Oleuropein has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and through the above-cited study, it is now known to have a lipolytic effect also. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may also help with issues related to obesity.
The various properties in oleuropein may also contribute to the reduction of metabolic syndrome in overweight persons.
How To Get Oleuropein In Your Diet
The most common way to get oleuropein in your diet is to take an olive leaf extract supplement. Oleuropein is a key compound found in the extract as it comes from the olive leaf plant.
There are many olive leaf extract supplements available out there and some of them are even labeled as oleuropein supplements or containing a percentage of oleuropein.
Health’s Harmony Olive Leaf Extract supplement, for example, is labeled as containing 20% oleuropein.
It holds an almost 5 star rating on Amazon by over 7700 customers who rated the supplement and is highlighted as Amazon’s Choice.
While most olive leaf extract supplements are sold to support immune function and heart health, Exipure is another supplement which contains oleuropein but was developed specifically to help people with weight loss.
The supplement contains 7 other herbs and ingredients that all have brown adipose tissue boosting properties. Activating brown adipose tissue allows your body to burn through fat stores which gives you energy and reduces body mass.
Adopting the Mediterranean diet can also be very beneficial as this type of diet offers healthy foods and uses olive oil in many dishes which is a direct source of oleuropein.
Conclusion
Oleuropein is still being studied for it’s properties and various health benefits including it’s potential to treat obesity.
The compound, which comes from the olive plant has been shown to boost brown adipose tissue and cause lipolytic action on fat tissue which both help to reduce weight.
You can take oleuropein as a supplement mostly by taking olive leaf extract or you can choose to adapt a Mediterranean diet. Please consult a doctor before taking any new supplements especially if you’re taking medication for any conditions you may have.