Benefits of EVOO for the intestinal flora

Extra Virgin Olive Oil and its Positive Impact on Gut Microbiota

A research team from the University of Jaén (UJA) has confirmed, through an exhaustive study, the significant benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) on gut flora. Experiments conducted with murine models demonstrated that the consumption of this oil promotes the reproductive and functional stability of bacteria within the body, outperforming the results obtained from other fats such as butter.

This finding is fundamental for modern medicine, as it allows for the identification of microorganisms that act as markers for metabolic syndrome. This group of organic imbalances—which includes high levels of sugar, cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as hypertension—drastically increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it helps clarify the causes of irritable bowel syndrome, a condition affecting 8% of the population in Spain.

Microorganisms, Diets, and Metabolic Health

The human body is home to more than 1,000 bacterial species. The study compared 227 genera extracted from feces, finding that 14 of them showed significant statistical differences based on the diet consumed. One of the most relevant discoveries focuses on the bacterium Desulfovibrio.

• Diets rich in butter: These increase the presence of Desulfovibrio, which uses sulfur and bile salts to generate energy, expelling hydrogen sulfide as waste. In large quantities, this compound is toxic and is associated with hypertension, intestinal problems, and gallstones.
• Diet with EVOO: The parameters of this bacterium remained unaltered, maintaining a healthy balance in the body and avoiding toxicity from bacterial waste.

The Superiority of EVOO over Refined Oils

The research, published in the journal Molecules, utilized advanced massive DNA sequencing techniques to analyze bacterial composition. A revealing piece of data showed that after only six weeks of the diet, the microbiota already exhibited significant alterations, even before glucose or cholesterol levels in the blood changed physically.

Unlike refined oils or butter, EVOO contains polyphenols. These minor compounds exert a direct positive effect on the microbiota that other fats cannot replicate. After twelve weeks of monitoring, experts concluded that Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the fatty component that best regulates the intestinal microbiota, offering comprehensive protection against the factors that trigger metabolic syndrome.

This study was funded by the Junta de Andalucía and represents a crucial step forward in understanding how the modulation of the microbiota through diet can prevent chronic diseases in the global population.