Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health

Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is a well-liked functional food and an essential fat source in Mediterranean diets, containing several beneficial ingredients such as bioactive phenolic compounds and monounsaturated fatty acids, which individually and together have positive effects on cardiometabolic health markers and function as neuroprotective agents due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Through the gut-brain axis, metabolic illness, obesity, and even some neurodegenerative disorders are now thought to be influenced by the gut microbiota and intestinal environment. Emerging evidence suggests that EVOO’s health advantages may extend to the gut microbiome. The purpose of this review by Millman et al. (2021) was to analyze the results of recent research on the effects of Extra-virgin olive oil on gut microbiota and intestinal health. Additionally, the authors investigated the potential benefits of microbial product synthesis, gut microbiota composition, and mucosal immune system activity and functioning on cardiovascular, metabolic, and cognitive health. [NPID: Alzheimer’s disease, olive oil, gut microbiota, metabolic health, mucosal immunity]

Year: 2021

Reference: Millman, J. F., Okamoto, S., Teruya, T., Uema, T., Ikematsu, S., Shimabukuro, M., & Masuzaki, H. (2021). Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health. Nutrition reviews, 79(12), 1362–1374. https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaa148

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