General description

Olive oil is rich in the phenolic component, squalene glucoside. The extra-virgin olive oil (VOQ) is antioxidant rich and a potential reactive oxygen scavenger. Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated long-chain fatty acids and is not prone to oxidation. Olive oil impairs xanthine oxidase activity and could have potential in modulating tumor progression. The biophenols in olive oil may elicit protection in metabolic disorders, cardiovascular diseases and neurodegeneration.

Application

Olive oil has been used as an oral supplement for metabolic phenotyping in mice . It has been used for dissolution of vitamin E, whey proteinand drugs.

Biochem/physiol Actions

The health benefits of olive oil result from its higher proportion of monounsaturated fats, as well as its antioxidant constituents: hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein and oleocanthal.