POLYPHENOL
February 14, 2026
Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food.
Rising illnesses and insidious poisonings caused by chemicals have led people in the 21st century to seek alternative treatments. It is during this search that the concept of 'Phytotherapy' entered our lives. 'Phyto' means 'plant' in Greek. Therefore, 'Phytotherapy' means 'treatment with plants'. We are actually very lucky to live in a country like Turkey, which has one of the richest plant life in the world, but our task is equally difficult. Because...
We are faced with hundreds of thousands of plants and countless possibilities.
Therefore, we must study our subject very well. Because, especially in the West, many plant-based products and the thousands of phytochemicals they contain have become widely discussed and popular. For example, various academics and gastronomy experts came together to establish the 'International Oleocanthal Society' in Greece in 2015 to study 'Oleocanthal,' a key antioxidant found in olive oil. The importance of the subject can be better understood when considering that a distinguished scientific society has been established solely to understand and research the effects of a single antioxidant.
IF WE TAKE GOOD CARE OF IT, IT'S A CURE FOR THOUSANDS OF ILLNESSES.
When freshly picked from the tree, olives contain thousands of antioxidants. However, their number and quantity gradually decrease due to factors such as light, temperature, and humidity.
Therefore, we have delicate components at our disposal. We can say that "if we protect them well, they can be a remedy for many of our ailments." According to hundreds of studies, antioxidants found in plant-based products are beneficial for many diseases, from cancer and Alzheimer's to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, MS, and obesity.
It might contain the solution to the ailment. In this case, the subject becomes a little more interesting and intriguing. When our topic is olive oil, we need to focus on the antioxidant content of this product, which was called 'Elixir' or 'Liquid Gold' in ancient times.
THE MOLECULE THAT GIVES IMMORTALITY TO OLIVES
For example, the best-known polyphenol in olive oil is 'oleuropein'. This substance is found in the fruit, leaves, and branches. It is the main molecule that gives the olive tree immortality. It fights viruses, bacteria, and
It has the ability to destroy fungi. However, its most striking effect is its ability to recognize cancerous cells within a few milliseconds and break down their cell walls. It is a smart molecule that does not harm healthy cells during this process. 'Tyrosol' and 'Hydroxytyrosol' are also noteworthy substances with similar effects. 'Oleochantal' can be described as "a molecule known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects." However, in recent years, its ability to repair damage to nerve cells has been discovered, offering hope in the treatment of diseases (such as Alzheimer's) caused by metabolic disorders resulting from nerve cell damage.
DON'T THINK IT'S ONLY FOUND IN SHARKS.
Squalene, a hydrocarbon molecule, was famously believed to prevent cancer in sharks. For years, shark cartilage was imported from abroad and used on cancer patients in our country. However, the squalene in properly produced olive oil was sufficient to meet a human's needs. It also concentrated in skin oils and provided protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, the first thing to state is this: the antioxidants we will discuss are found in their perfect form only in extra virgin olive oils, that is, in flawless and fruity olive oils. There is no rule that every olive oil must contain antioxidants and polyphenols! Let's agree on this first, and then let's know that these valuable substances are drastically reduced in refined olive oil.
PRODUCING IT CORRECTLY AND STORING IT PROPERLY IS IMPORTANT.
Secondly, the numerous phytochemical subgroups in olive oil include polyphenols, alkaloids, nitrogen compounds, organosulfur compounds, phytosterols, and carotenoids.
In olive oil, the group of compounds that have been studied for their direct impact on human health is polyphenols. This group can be further divided into six main groups and subgroups. Polyphenols are water-soluble compounds whose primary purpose is to protect the plant from external factors. If olive oil is obtained from healthy olives using the correct methods and stored properly, a product rich in polyphenols can be obtained. Polyphenols, whose contribution to the immune system, metabolic diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and cancer-preventing effects has been proven by experiments, are also present in high-quality olive oils.
LET'S JUST STUDY OUR LESSONS HARD, THAT'S ENOUGH.
As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, our country is extremely rich in terms of vegetation, and we have all the necessary infrastructure and equipment to utilize it. All we have to do is focus on our studies.
Working well. If farmers implement good agricultural practices, industrialists pay attention to product quality, sellers take care of storage conditions, and citizens become more aware of consuming quality products and prioritize quality production over price, then all components of the olive sector will benefit, and a significant step will be taken towards reducing health problems.
Let's conclude our article with Hippocrates' famous quote: "Let your food be your medicine, and your medicine be your food."
May your olive oil be rich in polyphenols…
Dr. Dilşen Oktay - Pharmacist Atilla Totoş
Source: Effective Health Magazine (August-September 2017)
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF MICROHEROES?
The micro-heroes we've been hearing about frequently in recent years, namely polyphenols, actually have the following identified health effects when viewed in a very general context:
* It helps protect cells in the body against free radical damage, thus delaying the effects of aging.
* It fights cancer cells and inhibits angiogenesis (the development of blood vessels that nourish the tumor).
* Protects the skin against ultraviolet radiation.
* It promotes brain health and provides protection against dementia.
* It reduces inflammation.
* It helps regulate blood sugar.
* It helps protect the cardiovascular system.
* It helps regulate blood pressure.
* A diet rich in polyphenols helps with weight loss and prevents uncontrolled weight gain.
* Relieves pain and discomfort.
* Olive oil exhibits antiseptic properties thanks to its polyphenols.
* Due to its antioxidant activities, it has a positive effect on bone metabolism and reduces the potential risk of developing osteoporosis.
* It minimizes oxidative stress, which is defined as the effect of free radicals released when the body converts oxygen into energy due to adverse living conditions, traffic, and city life (and which also triggers diseases such as obesity and cancer).
* It regulates cholesterol levels.
Birsen Can Pehlivan
