OLIVE OILS AND HEALTH 202 Conclusion: EVOO appears to protect bone health by enhancing formation and reducing resorption through anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However, further well-designed randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm its utility in osteoporosis prevention. 17.4. Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Inflammatory Bowel Disease Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is characterised by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Extraintestinal manifestations (e.g., arthritis, skin lesions) and heightened colorectal cancer risk are common. Over one million individuals in the United States and two million in Europe suffer from inflammatory bowel disease. Current pharmacologic treatments -including aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, and biologics- have limited efficacy and notable side effects. This has led to growing interest in nutritional interventions. Extra virgin olive oil, especially due to its polyphenol content, may beneficially modulate the gut microbiota and reduce intestinal inflammation. In one human double-blind randomised trial, 25 mL/day of EVOO for three weeks increased fecal immunoglobulin A and IgA-coated bacteria, enhancing mucosal immunity. Another study showed increased Bifidobacterium and elevated levels of polyphenol-derived metabolites (hydroxytyrosol, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid). Despite encouraging data from animal colitis models, few human studies exist. More research is needed to define the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of EVOO polyphenols.
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