subject: Prevent Oxidative Damage And More With Tyrosol [print this page] Tyrosol is a tyrosol ester and phytonutrient that is mainly found in olives and olive oil. Early studies indicate that it may be able to fight bacteria, keep the blood healthy, prevent a number of nasty diseases and much more. In this article I provide a full breakdown of tyrosol and discuss its main health benefits.
1) DISCOVERY:
Awareness of tyrosol dates back to ancient times where olive oil (a source of this phytonutrient) was classed as a miracle food. However, it is not known who discovered this nutrient or when the discovery was made.
2) HEALTH BENEFITS:
Tyrosol is an impressive antioxidant that can keep your body's cells safe from free radicals. Free radicals are nasty by-products that are released into your cells during reactions with oxygen and can lead to cancer (a disease which causes your cells to grow in a rapid, out of control way), diabetes (a disease where your blood glucose levels become dangerously high), increased visible signs of ageing and a weak immune system. It can also protect your heart from disease and keep it strong.
Provisional studies suggest that this phytonutrient may act as an antibacterial (a substance that kills or prevents the growth of bacteria), act as an antimicrobial (a substance that kills or slows down the growth of microorganisms) and reduce blood levels of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that blocks the artery walls and increases your heart disease risk). It may also prevent Alzheimer's disease (a mental disorder which causes memory loss and speech loss), bone loss, kidney disease and cancer. However, the studies on these health benefits are still in the very early stages and more research is required before they can be fully validated.
3) RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE (RDA):
No official RDA has been set for tyrosol but most sources recommend consuming 300 milligrams (mg) each day to activate the benefits of this phytonutrient.
4) FOOD SOURCES:
Olives and olive oil are the main food sources of tyrosol. Green tea and white wine are also good sources of this phytonutrient. However, the exact amounts these foods contain is not known.
5) SUMMARY:
There is still a lot to learn about tyrosol but the early signs suggest that this nutrient is 1 of the main drivers behind the health benefits of olives and olive oil. So make sure you are drinking green tea regularly, enjoying the odd glass of wine and adding olives and olive oil to your meals.
