Researchers discover 'superfood' potential in olives for tackling obesity and diabetes
Scientists have identified chemicals in olives that could significantly lower blood pressure, aid weight loss, and manage diabetes, paving the way for affordable and safe natural treatments.
Recent research indicates that olives could be instrumental in combating obesity and preventing diabetes. The study highlights elenolic acid, a natural compound found in mature olives and extra virgin olive oil, which has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and promote weight loss.
The American research team discovered that after one-week, obese diabetic mice treated with oral elenolic acid weighed significantly less and had improved blood sugar regulation compared to untreated control mice. The glucose-lowering effect of elenolic acid was found to be comparable to the injectable diabetes medication liraglutide and superior to metformin, a common oral diabetes drug.
Professor Dongmin Liu of Virginia Tech, who led the research team, emphasised the limitations of current lifestyle modifications and public health measures in addressing the rising prevalence of obesity, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes. He noted that existing obesity drugs are often ineffective for long-term weight loss maintenance, expensive, and may have potential long-term safety risks.
He added "Our aim was to develop safer, more affordable, and convenient multi-targeting agents to prevent metabolic disorders and type 2 diabetes.” His team focuses on discovering bioactive compounds from natural products for diabetes management.
The researchers previously explored specific molecular targets for natural compounds in organs like the pancreas, muscle, fat tissues, and liver, which regulate metabolism. However, due to the poor bioavailability of natural products, they shifted their focus to targeting metabolic hormone secretion in the gut to regulate metabolic functions indirectly.
In their study, the team identified natural compounds that act on L-cells, which release two metabolic hormones, GLP-1 and PYY, during meals. These hormones promote fullness, prevent overeating, and regulate blood sugar levels and metabolism. Screening revealed that elenolic acid could stimulate the release of these hormones.
The researchers produced elenolic acid by breaking down its precursor, oleuropein, a more cost-effective method than direct extraction from olives.
Tests on obese diabetic mice showed that those receiving oral elenolic acid experienced notable improvements in metabolic health compared to control mice. After four to five weeks, treated mice displayed a 10.7% reduction in obesity, with blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity comparable to those of healthy lean mice.
The study also found that elenolic acid significantly reduced food intake and promoted weight loss, linked to improved levels of PYY and GLP-1 and reduced expression of agouti-related peptide in the hypothalamus, which is known to increase eating and weight gain when overexpressed.