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Unusual tea could cut diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity
Scientists are highlighting an often-overlooked part of the olive tree that could help combat major health issues like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. While olive oil’s health benefits are widely recognized, the potential therapeutic properties of olive leaves remain relatively unknown.
According to Evangeline Mantzioris, who directs the Nutrition and Food Sciences program at the University of South Australia, olive leaves contain exceptionally high concentrations of oleuropein, an antioxidant also found in smaller amounts in olives and olive oil.
Mantzioris notes that olive leaves are rich in additional antioxidants including hydroxytyrosol, luteolin, apigenin, and verbascoside. Writing in The Conversation, she explains that these antioxidants help protect the body by reducing oxidative stress – a process that can damage DNA, cell membranes, and tissues, potentially leading to diseases like cancer and heart disease.
A comprehensive review analyzing data from 12 experimental studies involving 819 participants found that olive leaf extract showed promising results in improving cardiovascular health markers. The benefits included better blood lipid profiles and reduced blood pressure, with particularly notable effects in participants who had pre-existing hypertension.
The leaves can be consumed in various forms, including tea, bread, and salad, and have historically been used in Mediterranean regions as a natural remedy for fever and as a mosquito repellent.
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