Oleuropein
Oleuropein is a type of phenolic bitter compound found in green olives, olive leaves, and argan oil. Olives contain oleuropein which has been shown to promote vasodilation (the process by which blood vessels relax and expand to accommodate the blood moving through the vessels, aiding men to achieve erections).
It also help enhance production of nitric oxide (NO), the messenger molecule in the endothelial lining of the blood vessels that causes vasodilation. Oleuropein is very abundant in the early stages of olive growth in the young green fruits.
A Mediterranean diet rich in plant-based foods, fish, and olive oil, is associated with reduced risk of most diseases. Oleuropein has attracted scientific attention in recent years because of a variety of reported health benefits. Oleuropein is best known for its blood pressure-lowering effect. When administered via injections, oleuropein significantly reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Olive leaf has been used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension) for centuries.
Oleuropein has been shown to protect the heart and be anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-angiogenic and neuroprotective.
Oleuropein Supplements
These tend to be the extract from olive leaves. Olive leaf teas are also available.
