Hydroxytyrosol from olive extract may help prevent age-related disease, study finds

Editor's note: This article has been updated on November 4, 2025 at 10:35am – the compound is not approved as a novel food in the European Union.

The olive-derived phenolic compound hydroxytyrosol (HT) may offer preventative benefits against age related chronic diseases for people with prediabetes, a new study shows.

What Is Hydroxytyrosol?

The compound has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the study explains. However, its potential for disease prevention for overweight adults with prediabetes has received less research. This study focused on the supplement’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as the lipid modulation effects in this at-risk group. The supplement used in the study was Hytolive from Alvinesa Natural Ingredients. “Hydroxytyrosol supplementation improves antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status in individuals with overweight and prediabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial,” was published in Clinical Nutrition in September 2025.¹

Study design: testing Hytolive in adults with prediabetes

In this trial, 49 adults, age 40-70 with prediabetes, consumed capsules containing either 15 mg of HT or a placebo daily for 16 weeks. The BMI of the participants was BMI 25.0–30.0 kg/m².

The main measurements of the study were oxidized LDL (oxLDL) levels, with additional assessments for biochemical and metabolic parameters, oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers, and participants’ lifestyle. Because oxidative stress is a marker of macromolecular damage and the onset of disease, it was chosen as the main focus for the study.

The visits were conducted at the Human Nutrition Unit (HNU) of the Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition in Madrid, Spain.

Results: lower oxidative stress and inflammation

The supplementation demonstrated effects on the main outcome and on some secondary outcomes. Overall, the supplement improved the oxidative and inflammatory status of the participants.

Highlighted results include:

• oxLDL levels were significantly reduced in the HT supplement group (p = 0.045), compared with placebo, as well as reduction in protein carbonyls (p = 0.031), and 8- OHdG (p < 0.01), demonstrating antioxidant properties.
• HT supplementation also prevented a decline in total antioxidant status (TAS) (p < 0.01) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels (p < 0.01), while the placebo did not demonstrate this prevention.
• HT showed an anti-inflammatory effect with the reduction of IL-6 levels (p =0.05).
• No significant changes were demonstrated in lipid profile or anthropometric parameters in either group.
• Lifestyle factors such as sleep, mental well-being, or physical capacity showed no significant changes.

No adverse events were reported during the study. “Chronic supplementation with 15 mg/day of HT for 16 weeks significantly improved antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status in individuals with overweight and prediabetes, suggesting a potential preventive role against aging-related diseases,” the researchers concluded. HT demonstrated an ability to protect lipid profiles from oxidative damage.

GLP-1 activity

Additionally, the placebo group demonstrated a rise in GLP-1 levels compared with the supplement group. The GLP-1 hormone stimulates insulin secretion, and its increase in the placebo group is suggested to be in response to insulin resistance, an October 20 press release from Alvinesa explains.²

“Interestingly, these compensatory responses were not present in Group HT, suggesting that participants in this group required less physiological adaptation to maintain glucose homeostasis,” the researchers explained in the conclusion of the study. “Overall, this may indicate a protective effect of HT in preserving insulin sensitivity and reducing metabolic stress on β-cells.” More research would be needed to confirm this, the researchers added.

Additional studies should include a crossover design to further explain the mechanisms of the supplement on health, the researchers suggested. It was also noted that the participants were a Mediterranean population, which is regularly exposed to dietary sources of HT, such as extra virgin olive oil.

References

1. Moratilla-Rivera, I.; Pérez-Jiménez, J.; Ramos, S.; Portillo, MP.; Martín, MA.; Mateos, R. Hydroxytyrosol supplementation improves antioxidant and anti-inflammatory status in individuals with overweight and prediabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial, Clinical Nutrition, 2025. 52, 17-26 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.07.006.
2. Alvinesa Natural Ingredients. New clinical study from Alvinesa. October 20, 2025.