"An extra virgin olive oil supplement could reduce inflammation due to intense physical activity and support recovery over a 24h period".
These are the findings of comprehensive scientific research conducted by Spanish and Colombian universities* and published on the scientific website Mdpi.com, a platform that has been sharing cutting-edge academic research carried out around the world for more than 25 years.
The research focused on the effects of olive oil on inflammatory processes caused by exercise. Olive oil, a basic ingredient of the Mediterranean Diet, continues to offer valuable insights for scientific research.
Considered a real elixir of long life and wellbeing, especially among Mediterranean countries, this product - on which the European Union imposes stringent regulations to ensure its quality, traceability and safety - is the prime ingredient of the healthiest of diets.
The consumption of olive oil, especially Extra Virgin Olive oil (EVO), helps relieve inflammation: this may be due to the high quantity of polyphenols which have antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
“It is well-established”, the researchers write, “that exercise has a dose-dependent effect on the immune system and can cause inflammation in athletes that is proportional to the intensity and duration of the effort. This inflammatory process can be measured by cellular markers, such as dendritic cells (DCs), which, in humans, consist of the myeloid DC (mDC) and plasmacytoid DC (pDC) subpopulations."
"The purpose of this study was to measure possible anti-inflammatory effects by looking at dendritic cell behavior after taking a 25mL extra virgin olive oil supplement and after intense aerobic exercise”.
The test was carried out by observing three healthy and well-trained individuals performing high-intensity exercises on two separate days, one week apart: one day after taking active supplements and the other after taking placebo supplements”
The results of the study showed that "the highest increase (77%) in the percentage of mDCs as a proportion of pDCs took place after the test. Regardless of the supplement taken, mature mDCs showed a decreasing trend one hour and 24 hours after the test. However, if measured in terms of coefficient of variation, the decreasing trend (46%) was statistically significant only after taking the extra virgin olive oil supplement (95% CI: 30-62%; p = 0.05").
In light of these findings, the researchers concluded that EVO oil supplements can reduce the inflammation due to intense aerobic exercise, as well as improve recovery over a 24 hours period.
This study further confirms the unique characteristics and benefits of one of the most widely used products produced in the EU and exported all over the world.
With the project 'Oliveoileu.jp’, the European Union has established an official, reliable and informative platform for Japanese consumers who love and appreciate all the qualities of this precious extract.
A cultural and culinary dialogue through which European Olive Oil brings the West and the East closer together.
Bibliography
*Research by Laura Esquius, Casimiro Javierre, Inés Llaudó, Inés Rama, Guillermo R. Oviedo, Marta Massip-Salcedo, Alicia Aguilar-Martínez, Oscar Niño, Núria Lloberas with support from the following Faculties: Department of Physiological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Barcelona, Foodlab Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya, Department of Nephrology, Bellvitge University Hospital, IDIBELL, 08907 Barcelona, Spain, Faculty of Psychology, Education and Sport Science-Blanquerna, Ramon Llull University, 08022 Barcelona, Spain, Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Cundinamarca, Cundinamarca 252212, Colombia. Academic Editor: Paul Tchounwou.
Source:
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/8/4128
14 October 2021
