Olive and Improved Quality of Life

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 2 beneficial · 1 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, 2 reported beneficial small-sized effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) supplementation on quality of life, while 1 showed neutral effects. Both beneficial findings were statistically significant. Effects were typically observed at 8–12 weeks (median study duration: 84 days), with doses ranging from 250–400 mg/day in the positive studies.

Effective dose range: 250–400 mg/day
Studied populations: healthy postmenopausal women aged 47–70 years; healthy participants with gastrointestinal discomfort

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. One study in adults with mildly elevated blood pressure found no significant quality-of-life change, suggesting the benefit may vary by population. All studies were short-term (8–12 weeks); longer-term effects are unknown.

Generated Jun 11, 2026

Doses used in studies

mg/day: 250–1,000 (median 400, IQR 325–700) — 3 studies

Time to effect

Median: 2.8 months · IQR 10 weeks–2.8 months · Range 8 weeks–2.8 months — Reported in 3 of 3 studies

Safety in these studies

Overall tolerabilityReported
The intervention was well tolerated, with no product-related serious adverse events.
from: Effects of a combination of olive leaf extract and potassium on blood pressure in particip

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Effects of a combination of olive leaf extract and potassium on blood pressure in participants with mild to moderate hypertension: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
- 2026-06
- RCT · n = 70
- Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology 155
- - Johannes-Paul Fladerer-Grollitsch
  - Franz Bucar
  - Thomas Klein
  - Albert Kompek
  - Daniel Menzel
  - Christiane Schön
- PubMed: 41935461
- DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2026.158138
17 Insights on
- Improved Quality of Life
- High evidence
- Clinical
Quality-of-life scores remained stable
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
300 mg/day
Olive Leaf Extract Supplementation Improves Postmenopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study on Postmenopausal Women.
- 2024-11-14
- RCT
- Nutrients 16(22)
- - Maria Imperatrice
  - Anissa Lasfar
  - Colin A J van Kalkeren
  - Freddy Troost
- PubMed: 39599665
- DOI: 10.3390/nu16223879
6 Insights on
- Improved Quality of Life
- High evidence
- Rigorous Journal
- Elderly
After six and twelve weeks of OLE supplementation, the overall MENQoL score significantly improved (estimated mean difference [95% CI]: -0.2 [-0.4-0.2], p = 0.027) compared to the placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
250 mg/day
A standardized extract of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill and Olea europaea L. improves gastrointestinal discomfort: A double-blinded randomized-controlled study.
- 2021-03-16
- RCT · n = 60
- Phytotherapy research : PTR 35(7)
- - Giuseppe Antonio Malfa
  - Claudia Di Giacomo
  - Luigi Cardia
  - Emanuela Elisa Sorbara
  - Carmen Mannucci
  - Gioacchino Calapai
- PubMed: 33724592
- DOI: 10.1002/ptr.7074
2 Insights on
- Improved Quality of Life
- High evidence
- Clinical
The group treated with verum experienced a statistically significant improvement of GIQLI and GSAS scores (p < .001).
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Dose
400 mg/day

Olive and Improved Quality of Life

Effects of a combination of olive leaf extract and potassium on blood pressure in participants with mild to moderate hypertension: A double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Olive Leaf Extract Supplementation Improves Postmenopausal Symptoms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Parallel Study on Postmenopausal Women.

A standardized extract of Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill and Olea europaea L. improves gastrointestinal discomfort: A double-blinded randomized-controlled study.