Hydroxythyrosol

Hydroxytyrosol is a bioactive substance, which provides the olive oil with health benefits such as antioxidative and cardiovascular protection properties.

Cardiovascular System Properties

Since oxidized LDL plays a key role in the development of atherosclerosis and related diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke, HT is an useful agent for reducing the risk of developing these diseases.

Cancer

Protects cells from carcinogenic transformations by inhibiting DNA damage from excess free radicals.

CNS

Its ability to cross the blood brain barrier, unlike most polyphenols, makes it especially suitable to combat oxidative stress involved in the degenerative processes that take place in the brain. In this sense, the consumption of hydroxytyrosol could contribute to the prevention of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis and those of increasing incidence³.

Anti-inflammatory

Hydroxytyrosol has shown different anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities in vitro which may explain the chronic-degenerative diseases preventive properties of olive oil, reducing inflammatory markers, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX₂) and Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α).

Skin protection

Due to its antioxidant capacity it slows down the cellular aging processes produced by the accumulation of free radicals. Similarly, it effectively protects epithelial cells from radiation damage caused by excessive sun exposure.

3.- Beauchamp, G.K., Keast, R.S.J., Morel, D., Lin, J., Pika, J., Han, Q., Lee, C-H, Smith, A.B. III, Breslin, P.A.S. Ibuprofen-like activity in extra-virgin olive oil. Nature, 2005, 437, 45-6.