A Small Amount of Polyphenols – A Huge Health Impact

Extra virgin olive oil is well known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, increasing attention in scientific research is being given to one particular component: polyphenols. Although they make up less than 1% of the oil’s total mass, their impact on gut health – and overall well-being – is profound.

A recent scientific review published in the journal Foods analyzed dozens of studies (in vitro, animal-based, and human), and the conclusion is clear: Polyphenols from olive oil help balance the gut microbiota by feeding beneficial bacteria and suppressing harmful ones.

Gut Microbiota – Your Second Brain

Our bodies contain trillions of microorganisms, most of which live in the digestive system. This complex community, known as the gut microbiota, is essential for:

• proper digestion
• nutrient absorption
• immune regulation
• and even mental health, via the gut-brain axis

However, the microbiota’s balance can be disrupted by stress, poor diet, certain medications (especially antibiotics), and a lack of fiber. This is where polyphenols come in.

How Do Polyphenols Work?

Polyphenols are natural plant compounds found in the skin, leaves, and fruit of the olive. The main ones in olive oil are:

• Hydroxytyrosol
• Oleuropein
• Oleocanthal

These compounds are not fully digested in the small intestine, meaning they reach the colon almost intact – where they become food for beneficial bacteria such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium associated with weight regulation and glucose metabolism.

Scientific Evidence

According to the Foods review (2025), along with previous research in Nutrients and Nutrition Reviews, EVOO polyphenols:

• Increase the number of beneficial bacteria (prebiotic effect)
• Stimulate the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), essential for gut health
• Inhibit pathogenic microbes such as E. coli, Clostridium, and Salmonella
• Exhibit strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

Interestingly, people who consume high-quality olive oil regularly show greater microbiota diversity – a well-known marker of better overall health and a lower risk of chronic disease.

Effects on the Brain and Mood

The gut-brain connection is no longer theoretical. It is now known that the microbiota produces neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which directly influence:

• mood and motivation
• stress levels
• sleep quality
• mental focus

By feeding beneficial bacteria with polyphenols, we indirectly support our emotional balance – opening up a new perspective on nutrition as a tool for mental well-being.

The Chiavalon Philosophy: Health in Every Drop

At Chiavalon, we’ve been cultivating our olive groves in Istria’s red soil for more than two decades, with deep respect for nature. Our oil is cold-pressed within just a few hours of harvest, preserving the maximum content of polyphenols and other bioactive compounds.

Laboratory tests consistently confirm high levels of hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal – compounds responsible for the effects that are now scientifically validated.

For us, this is more than scientific data. It’s the reason our products exist: to nourish, protect, and strengthen you from within.

References

1. Exploring the Impact of Olive‑Derived Bioactive Components on Gut Microbiota – Foods, 2025
   https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/14/2413
2. Modulation of the Gut Microbiota by Olive Oil Phenolic Compounds – Nutrients, 2020
   https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/8/2200
3. Olive oil polyphenols as modulators of the gut microbiota – Nutrition Reviews, 2021
   https://academic.oup.com/nutritionreviews/article/79/12/1362/6133931

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple way to nourish your body – and your microbiome – every day, start with your plate. One tablespoon of high-quality extra virgin olive oil per day is not just a culinary delight – it’s a scientifically supported investment in your health.