Oleocanthal: The Secret Ingredient in Extra Virgin Olive Oil That's Not So Secret Anymore

Oleocanthal: The Secret Ingredient in Extra Virgin Olive Oil That's Not So Secret Anymore

Extra virgin olive oil is a staple in many kitchens around the world. It's a versatile ingredient for cooking and adding flavor to your favorite dish. But did you know that it also contains Oleocanthal, a polyphenol with potentially life-changing health benefits?

For many centuries, Oleocanthal has been a secret ingredient that can only be found in extra virgin olive oil. However, since its discovery in the early 1990s, Oleocanthal and its powerful benefits aren't so secret anymore.

In this blog from Oleocanthal distributors at Earthborn Alternatives, our team will discuss:

  • What Oleocanthal is
  • What Oleocanthal means for our health
  • Seven powerful benefits of Oleocanthal 
  • The discovery of the Oleocanthal molecule 
  • How Oleocanthal supplements can provide more than a healthy lifestyle change 

Table of Contents:

  1. What is Oleocanthal Exactly? 
  2. Understanding What Oleocanthal Can Mean for Our Health
  3. 7 Powerful Benefits of Oleocanthal 
  4. Dr. Gary Beauchamp and the Discovery of the Oleocanthal Molecule 
  5. Oleocanthal Supplements: Providing More than Just a Positive Lifestyle Change
  6. In Conclusion 

People Also Ask:

Which olive oil is highest in Oleocanthal?

Extra-virgin olive oil that is 100% natural has ten times the phenolic content of most EVOOs on the market. It is also scientifically recognized for its high-phenolic content.

To get the most benefits from your Oleocanthal intake, your supplements need to derive from 100% EVOO. You can find such supplements from our trusted distributors at Earthborn Alternatives

Does Oleocanthal stop cancer?

Regular consumption of the Oleocanthal polyphenol from EVOO has been linked to effective prevention and decreased cancer risk. 

A study by Dr. Goren and Dr. David Foster's research group discovered that Oleocanthal killed human cancer cells but not non-cancerous normal cells.

Is Oleocanthal an antioxidant?

Oleocanthal is a powerful antioxidant with significant antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties proven by numerous medical studies. 

What is Oleocanthal Exactly? 

Oleocanthal is a natural organic compound found only in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). It is part of a family of substances with powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties known as polyphenols. 

You may be surprised to learn that Oleocanthal is not present in the olive fruit itself. It is created during the pressing process when fresh olives are cold-pressed to make extra virgin olive oil. 

Understanding What Oleocanthal Can Mean for Our Health

Oleocanthal's importance and uniqueness lie in its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This natural compound has a similar chemical structure to ibuprofen, one of the most widely used non-steroidal over-the-counter medications to help treat inflammation. Like ibuprofen, Oleocanthal blocks an enzyme known as cyclooxygenase (COX), which creates natural chemicals in the body that lead to inflammation

The difference with Oleocanthal, however, is that it works like ibuprofen but on a much more powerful level. 

Several olive oil studies in the early 2000s showed that Oleocanthal was more effective than ibuprofen when blocking the enzymes linked to inflammation in the body. 

Have you ever wondered what makes The Mediterranean Diet so healthy or why cancer and cognitive disease rates are so low in Mediterranean populations? Science suggests that Oleocanthal could be the reason! 

7 Powerful Benefits of Oleocanthal 

Since its discovery, many studies have been conducted to determine the health benefits of Oleocanthal and its potential impact on our overall wellness. Research has proven that Oleocanthal can be a powerful preventive and therapeutic agent for specific cancers and diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, and more

Below are seven significant health benefits of Oleocanthal: 

  1. Reduces arthritis inflammation (Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 
  2. Slows the progression of Alzheimer's disease
  3. Fights and prevents cancers (breast, prostate, colon, pancreatic, and leukemia) 
  4. Can kill specific cancer cells with their own enzymes
  5. Can reduce glucose levels and A1C linked to type 2 diabetes 
  6. Reduces inflammation associated with joint-degenerative disease (Osteoarthritis (OA)
  7. Promotes strong cardiovascular health 

Dr. Gary Beauchamp and the Discovery of the Oleocanthal Molecule 

Dr. Gary Beauchamp, Director and President of the Monell Chemical Senses Center was the first to discover Oleocanthal. Dr. Beauchamp and his team investigated the health benefits of phenolic compounds in olive oil when they made their groundbreaking discovery. 

When asked about the discovery, Dr. Beauchamp stated: "I had considerable experience swallowing and being stung in the throat by ibuprofen from previous studies on its sensory properties," explains Beauchamp. "So when I tasted newly-pressed olive oil, I was startled to notice that the throat sensations were virtually identical."

Fresh extra virgin olive oil is known to have a peppery flavor that leaves a slight burning sensation in the back of your throat. The Oleocanthal in EVOO is responsible for this sensation and taste. 

Oleocanthal Supplements: More than Just a Positive Lifestyle Change

While Oleocanthal is found naturally in extra virgin olive oil, you can also find it in supplement form. Taking Oleocanthal supplements straight from the source can provide the same health benefits as consuming extra virgin olive oil but more so. 

By taking Oleocanthal supplements, you are making a positive lifestyle change that can provide long-lasting advantages to your overall health and wellbeing. 

This powerful compound has also been known to help slow the aging process and prevent adverse diseases and ailments of the body. 

In Conclusion 

Oleocanthal is a natural phenolic compound found in extra virgin olive oil. It has been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Oleocanthal supplements are a convenient way to get the benefits of this potent compound. 

At Earthborn Alternatives, we only use the highest quality extra virgin olive oil to make our Oleocanthal supplements. Our products have been third-party tested to ensure they contain high levels of this natural superfood compound. We believe in the significant health benefits of Oleocanthal and are committed to providing our customers with the best product possible.

Would you like to know more?

Contact our Oleocanthal providers and experts today to get started

References: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4139846/ 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050906075427.htm 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleocanthal 

https://researchoutreach.org/articles/diet-cancer-investigating-mechanisms-polyphenolic-compounds-extra-virgin-olive-oil/ 

Back to blog