From the Research
Yes, olive oil contains squalene, a natural organic compound that belongs to the triterpene family, as confirmed by the most recent study 1 in 2020.
Squalene Content in Olive Oil
The content of squalene in olive oil can vary due to factors such as cultivars, region, climate, and harvest date, with some cultivars like 'Nocellara de Belice', 'Drobnica', 'Souri', and 'Oblica' having higher squalene content in their virgin olive oil 1.
Health Benefits of Squalene
Squalene acts as a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect cells from oxidative damage, and is also found in human sebum (skin oil) and shark liver oil 2, 3.
Recommendations for Consumption
When consuming olive oil for its squalene content, extra virgin olive oil is the best choice as it undergoes minimal processing, preserving more of its natural compounds, as supported by studies 4, 5.
Key Points
- Squalene is a triterpene that is an intermediate in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway.
- Olive oil is one of the richest natural sources of squalene.
- Squalene has potential anti-inflammatory and skin-protective properties.
- Extra virgin olive oil typically has higher concentrations of squalene than refined olive oil.