Olive Oil “Trash” Is a “Treasure” For Your Health

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted January 4, 2025

You probably know that olive oil is a superstar ingredient in the Mediterranean diet.

Its health benefits range from supporting heart health to reducing inflammation and protecting against certain cancers.

But you know how they say one man’s trash is another man’s treasure?

Well, in the case of a waste product from olive oil production, that’s turning out to be absolutely true!

Olive mill wastewater (OMW) is a dark, bitter liquid produced while washing and crushing olives to extract olive oil.

This liquid has been considered waste for years—bad for the environment and costly to dispose of. But new research is turning that thinking on its head.

It turns out that OMW contains many of the same bioactive compounds that give olive oil its health-boosting properties.

In fact, some studies suggest that OMW contains these compounds—like phenols, flavonols, and anthocyanins—in much higher concentrations than olive oil. It might even be better at fighting oxidative stress, the key driver behind inflammation and diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity!

Virgin olive oil contains just two percent of the phenols found in fresh olives, while OMW can contain as much as 53 percent! That’s a huge difference when it comes to antioxidant power.

And believe it or not, some companies are already bottling OMW as a health tonic. It’s being sold as a shot to help people easily access its potent health benefits.

Now, if you’re worried about the taste—you’re not alone. With all its bioactive compounds, OMW isn’t exactly going to win any flavor awards. But, sometimes the most potent health foods don’t taste the best—and OMW could be another one of those cases.

If drinking OMW doesn’t sound appealing, there’s another option. Food manufacturers are exploring ways to extract the valuable compounds from the olive oil byproduct and add them to other foods. This could boost the nutritional value of common foods and even help extend their shelf life.

And it’s not just about food. OMW has shown potential as an eco-friendly pesticide, helping farmers kill weeds and harmful microorganisms without damaging crops. Talk about a multi-tasking powerhouse!

Undoubtedly, OMW is entering an interesting space—somewhere between a food and a supplement. Its future might depend on how well it can be marketed, and if people can get past the taste to access the health benefits.

What’s clear is that, as the population grows and the demand for nourishing foods rises, we need to challenge our beliefs about what we consider “waste” in food production. Just like with OMW, the benefits could help reshape the future of health and nutrition.

P.S. Olive oil compound WOWS researchers. Get the details here.

Source:

Foti, P., Romeo, F. V., Russo, N., Pino, A., Vaccalluzzo, A., Caggia, C., & Randazzo, C. L. Olive Mill Wastewater as Renewable Raw Materials to Generate High Added-Value Ingredients for Agro-Food Industries. Applied Sciences, 11(16), 7511.

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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