An extract from olives can protect your cells from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is when certain chemicals release electrons, which act as chemical “bullets” and do damage to cells.
Hydroxytrosol is an extract from olives that is a powerful antioxidant (antioxidants act like little chemical “bullet-proof vests”). Earlier research, published in the journal Circulation (2000;102:2169-2171) has shown it to protect from the oxidative stress found in second hand smoke. In that study, rats were exposed to smoke. Urine samples were taken and tested for 8-iso-PGF2 (alpha), which is a chemical that indicates oxidative stress. The smoke increased the level of the chemical; giving the rats hydorxytrosol prevented the increase in 8-iso-PGF2 (alpha).
In a recent study, published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (Vol. 55, No. 13, pp 5043 -5049) looked at the ability of hydroxytrosol to protect nerve tissue. The researchers report that a 45% hydroxytyrosol extract increased resistance to oxidative stress in brain cells. Malondialdehyde is an end product of lipid oxidation—noxious to cells. The level of malonaldehyde was 25% lower when it was were administered in the presence of the olive extract. This indicates that hydroxytrosol may be protective of nerve tissue.