A research by the University Rovira i Virgili has demonstrated that virgin olive oil enriched with its polyphenols and thyme’s ones protect DNA from oxidation. These two types of polyphenols added to oil, they can be added to other products, decrease risk of DNA breakage. And this affects the metabolism or cell reproduction and could evolve pathologies like cancer.

Researchers from the Unit of Pharmacology and the Unit for lipid and arteriosclerosis research from the University Rovira i Virgili has determined that the intake of virgin olive oil enriched with its polyphenols and thyme’s ones is a way to protect the body from oxidation provoked by pollution, tobacco or certain food.

These oxidizing stimuli can trigger an imbalance between antioxidant and prooxidant system from the same organism. So, virgin olive oil enriched with its polyphenols and thyme’s ones would help to decant the balance to the antioxidant system and avoid that the oxidation is triggered.

Polyphenols are natural substances found in plants, fruits, vegetables, coffee or chocolate. They protect vegetables from the oxidation and, because of its characteristics, they are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory for people. They are not essential nutrients for the diet, but if we don’t take them, we could get sick.

The study was conducted with people who had slightly elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, known as bad cholesterol, but not so much as to need treatment with drugs. Volunteers were divided in 3 groups at random. They consume normal virgin olive oil, virgin olive oil enriched with its polyphenols and virgin olive oil enriched with a mixture of their own and thyme’s polyphenols. So, these two enriched oils contributed the same quantity of polyphenols but different composition, so that they searched the complementarity of the biological functions.

Thyme was chosen because it is one of the commonest aromatic herbs in our culture and beneficial functions about health are attributed to thyme. After taking these oils, it has been detected that thyme’s polyphenols are the ones our body absorbs better and, the possible cause of having more effective results taking the oil that contains thyme.

The positive results of the research have served to conclude that this olive oil enriched with thyme is a functional food to protect health. So, it will allow to make healthy recommendations to the population and specifically to people with high bad cholesterol.