Oleuropein is responsible for that slightly spicy, pungent flavor you’ll encounter in a quality extra-virgin olive oil.

This way, you won’t have to chug your weight in olive oil to experience the health benefits.

So what is olive leaf extract?

Stephanie Eckelkamp

What are the health benefits?

It lowers blood pressure, cholesterol, and triglycerides.

In fact, olive leaf extract may be just as effective as prescription blood pressure medication for some people.

Megan Fahey, M.S., R.D., CDN

It helps fight cold and flu.

Olive leaf extract may be just the thing to help prevent or shorten your next flu.

They also slow the replication of viruses known to cause colds, influenza, and lower respiratory infection.

Anecdotally, people have also found thatgargling with olive leaf teaalleviates sore throats, possibly bydecreasing inflammation.

It holds promise as a natural herpes remedy.

Thisstudyfound that olive leaf extract exhibited a significant antiviral activity against HSV jot down-1 virus in the lab.

It’s antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic.

Olive leaf extract has an antimicrobial effect against bacteria and fungi, too.

coli, which can cause severe diarrhea andcandida.

It reduces inflammation and arthritis pain.

The polyphenols in olive leaf extract are antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

It possesses potent anti-cancer properties.

It helps balance blood sugar and manage bang out 2 diabetes.

This, researchers speculate, may be why olive leaf extract supplementation helps stabilize blood sugar in humans.

Some research even suggests that olive leaf extract may help counter the negative metabolic effects of a poor diet.

It protects against Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline.

Olive leaf extract offers other neuroprotective perks as well.

Researchers speculate that this is due to olive leaf extract’s potent antioxidative properties.

What are the side effects?

“Most people should be able to safely take olive leaf extract at appropriate doses,” saysRuhoy.

But there are a few key exceptions.

It can alsointeract with16prescription drugs that are designed to lower blood pressure or regulate diabetes.

Starting with a lower dose can also help minimize any potential side effects.

How to choose the right olive leaf extract supplement.

Olive leaf extract is available in both capsule and liquid form.