The Mediterranean is famous not just for its blue seas and sun-drenched landscapes, but also for its diet — long recognised as one of the healthiest in the world. At the heart of this way of eating is the olive tree. Most people know its fruit for producing olive oil, rich in healthy fats that can help lower cholesterol and protect the heart (1).
But the olive tree offers more than just its fruit. Its leaves are packed with unique compounds that science shows can protect the heart, support the immune system, and may even help slow down the ageing process. These benefits come from olive leaf extract – a concentrated form of olive leaves that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
Why Olive Leaf Extract Matters
> Powerful antioxidant
Olive leaves are rich in compounds that fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage cells over time. Fighting free radicals can slow down ageing and even reduce disease risk (2).
> Anti-inflammatory
Chronic inflammation is like a slow-burning fire in the body, linked to conditions such as heart disease, arthritis, and premature ageing. Olive leaf extract contains natural compounds that help calm this process, keeping your body in balance (3).
> Cardioprotective
Olive leaf extract has been shown to help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and support flexible blood vessels, lowering the strain on your heart (4).
> Antimicrobial
Olive leaf extract can help reinforce your natural defences against everyday bugs. The same compounds that protect the olive tree from pests and infections also show activity against bacteria and viruses in humans (2,5).
What Exactly Is Olive Leaf Extract?
Olive leaf extract is made by concentrating compounds found in the leaves of the olive tree. The star ingredient is oleuropein, a natural polyphenol that gives unripe olives their bitter taste. Olive leaves contain much higher concentrations of oleuropein than olive fruit or oil.
How Olive Leaf Extract Supports Immunity
Boosting immune cells
Studies show olive leaf extract can help switch on special immune cells that act like your body’s frontline soldiers, fighting off infections and keeping you healthy (2).
Antiviral and antibacterial properties
The natural compounds in olive leaves don’t just protect the tree — they can also help your body fight off unwanted invaders. Research shows olive leaf extract can slow down certain viruses, such as those that cause cold sores, and may even protect against harmful bacteria.
In a recent lab study, olive leaf extract was found to calm irritation in the lungs of rats exposed to toxic fumes. It reduced swelling, kept lung tissue healthier, and lowered the levels of inflammatory signals in the body (5). This suggests olive leaf extract may help the body respond more gently to stress and the .
Antioxidant protection
As we get older, our immune system weakens partly because of oxidative stress — damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Olive leaf extract’s strong antioxidant power helps clear these away, creating a healthier environment for your immune system to work at its best (3).
Olive Leaf Extract and Healthy Ageing
Combating “inflammaging”
As we get older, the body can slip into a constant low level of inflammation – sometimes called “inflammaging”. This hidden fire inside the body plays a big role in many age-related diseases. Studies suggest olive leaf extract can help cool this fire by lowering key inflammatory signals like IL-6 and protecting organs from damage caused by oxidative stress (3).
Supporting cell resilience
Our cells face stress every day, from pollution to natural ageing. Lab studies show that oleuropein, the main compound in olive leaf extract, can help cells become more resilient. It activates “longevity pathways” that help cells repair themselves, cope with stress, and even live longer in test models (6).
Slowing down sugar damage
Over time, sugars in the blood can attach to proteins in a process called glycation. This makes tissues harder and less flexible, which speeds up the ageing process. Early lab studies show that olive leaf extract may help slow this down by reducing sugar-related damage in test-tube models (7). More research in humans is still needed.
How Olive Leaf Extract Supports the Heart
Regulating blood pressure
A 2021 study showed that olive leaf extract helps relax blood vessels, a process known as vasodilation. This makes it easier for blood to flow and supports healthy blood pressure. It also helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which contribute to cardiovascular ageing (4).
Improving cholesterol balance
Olive leaf extract may help lower levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol — the type that can build up in your arteries. It also helps stop LDL from turning into plaque, which is what clogs arteries and puts strain on your heart (4). Keeping cholesterol healthy is one of the best ways to protect your heart for the long run.
Protecting blood vessels as we age
Animal research has found that olive leaf extract can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in blood vessels, helping them stay flexible and healthy as we grow older (4).
Final Thoughts
Olive leaf extract captures the essence of Mediterranean health in concentrated form. With strong evidence supporting its role in heart health, immune support, and healthy ageing, it’s a smart, natural step towards long-term vitality.
Choosing a high-quality supplement with standardised oleuropein content ensures you get the most benefit. Combined with a balanced lifestyle, olive leaf extract can help protect your heart, strengthen your defences, and support healthier ageing.
Note: If you are taking medication, pregnant, breastfeeding, or under medical supervision, consult your doctor before using olive leaf extract. Supplements should complement, not replace, a balanced diet and lifestyle.
References
- Demirer B, Samur G. Health Benefits of Olive Leaf: The Focus on Efficacy of Antiglycation Mechanisms. Nutr Rev. 2025;83(3):551–561.
- Magrone T, Spagnoletta A, Salvatore R, et al. Olive leaf extracts act as modulators of the human immune response. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2018;18(1):85–93.
- Silvestrini A, Giordani C, Bonacci S, et al. Anti-inflammatory effects of olive leaf extract and its bioactive compounds oleacin and oleuropein-aglycone on senescent endothelial and small airway epithelial cells. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;12(8):1509.
- González-Hedström D, García-Villalón ÁL, Amor S, et al. Olive leaf extract supplementation improves the vascular and metabolic alterations associated with aging in Wistar rats. Sci Rep. 2021;11:8188.
- Ben Attia T, Bahri S, Ben Younes S, et al. In-Depth Analysis of Olea europaea L. Leaf Extract: Alleviating Pulmonary Histological Disturbances, Pro-Inflammatory Responses, and Oxidative Stress from Isolated or Combined Exposure to Inhaled Toluene and Noise in Rats. Biology (Basel). 2024;13(11):896.
- Feng S, Zhang C, Chen T, et al. Oleuropein enhances stress resistance and extends lifespan via insulin/IGF-1 and SKN-1/Nrf2 signalling pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(11):1697.
- Vasarri M, Bergonzi MC, Stojcheva EI, Bilia AR, Degl’Innocenti D. Olea europaea L. leaves as a source of anti-glycation compounds. Molecules. 2024 Sep 14;29(18):4368.
Acknowledgement
Special thanks to Ziweirui Wang (MSc Human Nutrition, University of Sheffield) for her research and writing support during her work experience with Supp.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not replace personalised medical guidance.
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