Getting an infusion with olive leaves sounds very good and healthy. Science has much more doubts about it

Olive oil is a fundamental ingredient In the Mediterranean diet. Spain is one of the great producers That, for years, he focused on being a large world producer of consumer oil, Leaving Italy The high ranges. That changed a few months agobut of course: in addition to olive or olives, we have to talk about by -products, Like the bone or the leaves. With them, we can make infusions, buy bread with embedded leaves and in the herbalists and brands Its multiple benefits are cited.

But science is not done alone, and researchers have tested these properties of olive leaf infusions.

Oleuropein. All those supposed benefits of the infusions of the olive leaf come from the hand of an antioxidant called oleuropein. This is the majority phenolic component of the pulp of green olives and is the one that gives a certain bitter taste in extra virgin olive oils. It turns out that it is also a main component of the olive leaves.

In 2011 a study and it was stated that this antioxidant could show antifibrotic and anti -inflammatory effects. The interesting thing is that the oleuropein concentration depends on the color of the leaf: the greener, the more oleuropein it contains, so the leaves collected in spring have higher levels compared to those collected at another time of the year.

The studies. These properties such as antioxidant have led us to consume the infusion sheets, but … are they really safe and healthy? In The Conversation we can see two recent studies. One of them, of 2022, combined data from 12 experimental studies in which 819 people participated, concluding that the olive leaf extract (managed in capsules with dose of between 500 milligrams and 5 grams during periods of six to six 48 weeks) improved heart disease risk factors and reducing blood pressure.

Data. In people with high blood pressure, the effects were greater. In a study More recent, from 2024, data from other experimental studies with a sample of 703 participants were again studied. The doses were this time between 250 and 1,000 mg -very minors -, administered in capsules or incorporated into the PAN.

Some of the participants had high and overweight blood pressure, but others were in healthy parameters. Significant benefits were observed in blood glucose control and a reduction in blood pressure, but when all data crossed, no significant effects were appreciated and it was indicated that it was necessary to continue investigating.

Safe levels. In these cases, we are talking about an “the olive leaf can improve the hypotensive effect, since, as we say, it is not a certainty and we must continue to investigate. But something that studies seem to coincide is that, a daily supplementation of this extract, with a dose of a gram per day, has no adverse effects or contraindications.

What is indicated in others studies It would be good for pregnant and infant women to avoid consumption, since effectiveness and safety have not been proven during this phase.

Toxicity. It is interesting, however, that some cases of aggressiveness have been reported after excessive consumption. It is suspected that a high dose, 85 mg/kg of body weight, is toxic, causing an event similar to that of an excess of dopamine, taking a 67 -year -old woman to aggressive behavior.

This woman took 5.5 grams of dry olive leaf per day to treat hay fever, experiencing changes in mood and the aforementioned aggressive behavior after intake. Researchers think that the culprit is hydroxythritic, a component of the olive leaf extract that has a structure similar to dopamine, altering levels. It is still an isolated case, but there it is.

Head. Therefore, that olive leaf is sold to make infusions is not negative, because the effects as an antioxidant in our body are there, but the usual thing is important: to have head and common sense so as not to self -medicate with chemical drugs … or with natural remedies with remedies .

Are they healthy? Yes, in small doses, but of course they do not replace medicines and treatments made by professionals. And, if they love each other Take as a complementit can be infused, but also in smoothies or as a salad and bread complement.

Images | Júlio Reis, Bea.miau

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