Super high antioxidant meal

Super high antioxidant meal

Hydroxytyrosol is a powerful polyphenol which occurs naturally in the olive fruit, pulp, leaves and mill waste waters.1,2 Chemically, hydroxytyrosol is described as 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1,2-benzendiol, with an empirical formula C8H10O3.2 Hydroxytyrosol is a well-known minor component found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, which is derived from hydrolysis of the polyphenol oleuropein during olive maturation and olive oil storage.1,2 The compound plays an important role (amongst other minor components) in the complex and varied flavor of olives and olive oil.1 It is also a vital component which largely adds to the stability of olive oil.2 Hydroxytyrosol is hydrophilic, and absorbed in a dose-dependent manner in humans, with absorption occurring in the small intestine and colon.1 Uniquely, hydroxytyrosol is the only polyphenol which is able to cross the blood brain barrier, which allows it to have a significant action to scavenge free radicals in the nervous system.3