Olive Oil for Gut Health: The Prebiotic Power of Polyphenols

Olive Oil for Gut Health: The Prebiotic Power of Polyphenols

If your digestion feels out of balance – bloating, cramping, reflux, or discomfort – you’re not alone. And this often points to one core issue: an imbalanced gut.

Your gut does more than process food. It supports your immune system, regulates inflammation, influences your mood, and plays a key role in your overall energy and wellbeing. When your gut’s off, everything feels harder. But here’s the good news: restoring balance doesn’t have to be complicated.

Small, consistent habits can make a big difference – and one of the simplest things you can do is add high-quality extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) to your daily routine.

Disclaimer: This content is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a healthcare professional before making any dietary changes.

How Olive Oil Supports Digestion

If you’re dealing with heartburn, irregularity, or digestive sensitivity, EVOO can offer gentle relief.

Unlike synthetic remedies or harsh laxatives, olive oil works with your body, not against it. Just 1-2 tablespoons a day may help:

  • Stimulate bile flow, so your body can break down fats more efficiently
  • Soothe irritation in the stomach lining – helpful for those managing acid reflux or gastritis
  • Promote regularity without irritating your gut, a welcome alternative for IBS-prone systems

So yes, olive oil does help digestion – and not just in theory. A growing body of research supports its use as a daily digestive ally. 

What the Research Says: A Healthier Microbiome with EVOO

Your gut microbiome – the ecosystem of bacteria in your digestive tract – plays a central role in how you feel day to day. When it’s out of balance, symptoms like bloating, fatigue, or brain fog often follow.

Polyphenols in olive oil help restore that balance. These plant-based compounds work as prebiotics, nourishing beneficial bacteria while discouraging inflammatory or harmful strains.

In one 3-month study, people who added high-quality EVOO to their diet saw a huge increase in gut-friendly Lactobacillus. They also saw measurable improvements in inflammation, oxidative stress, and even metabolism.

Other findings show that:

  • Hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein boost Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia – known for supporting immunity and gut lining integrity.
  • EVOO increases short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which help soothe inflammation and regulate digestion.
  • Even in high-fat diets, EVOO improves microbial balance and supports the gut barrier.

And these changes don’t just affect your digestion – they ripple out to support your mood, metabolism, and cognitive health via the gut–brain axis.

What Makes SP360 Different? Polyphenol Power

Not all olive oils offer the same benefits. Most supermarket bottles contain low polyphenol levels – and if they’ve been exposed to heat, light or age, those precious compounds may already be gone.

SP360 is different.

We deliver 1,462 mg/kg of polyphenols –  placing SP360 firmly in the “medical grade” range. Grown sustainably and cold-pressed for potency, our single-estate olive oil is lab-tested to ensure you’re getting the full spectrum of gut-supporting compounds in every spoonful.

These polyphenols include:

  • Hydroxytyrosol – promotes gut barrier strength, regulates inflammation
  • Oleuropein – encourages Akkermansia and supports microbial balance
  • Oleocanthal – helps calm gut inflammation (especially helpful for IBS)
  • Tyrosol – supports gut-brain communication and microbial resilience

Together, they create an internal environment where your digestive system can settle, rebalance, and thrive.

How to Use SP360 for Gut Health

Start small and stay consistent. It’s not about short-term fixes – it’s about long-term support.

  • Take 1-2 tablespoons per day, ideally with meals to aid absorption and blood sugar balance
  • Use it raw to preserve the polyphenols: drizzle over soups, roasted veg, whole grains, or salads
  • Pair with fibre-rich foods like lentils, oats, and colourful vegetables to nourish your microbiome even more

This simple daily ritual can do more than soothe your digestion – it helps build a healthier, more resilient gut over time.

Trust Your Gut and Support It Daily

Your gut is sensitive. It responds to everything – from what you eat to how you sleep and how stressed you feel. But it’s also adaptable. With the right support, your microbiome can recover, strengthen, and help you feel better from the inside out.

SP360 is a simple way to nourish that process. One spoonful at a time, it helps restore balance, ease inflammation, and feed the bacteria that support your health.

Try SP360 today – or subscribe for regular gut health support.

 

 

Sources

(1) Luisi, M.L.E., Lucarini, L., Biffi, B., Rafanelli, E., Pietramellara, G., Durante, M., Vidali, S., Provensi, G., Madiai, S., Gheri, C.F., Masini, E. and Ceccherini, M.T. (2019). Effect of Mediterranean Diet Enriched in High Quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Gut Microbiota in Obese and Normal Weight Adult Subjects. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 10. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2019.01366.

(2) Garrido-Romero, M., Díez-Municio, M. and Moreno, F.J. (2025). Exploring the Impact of Olive-Derived Bioactive Components on Gut Microbiota: Implications for Digestive Health. Foods, [online] 14(14), p.2413. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14142413.

(3) Gavahian, M., Mousavi Khaneghah, A., Lorenzo, J.M., Munekata, P.E.S., Garcia-Mantrana, I., Collado, M.C., Meléndez-Martínez, A.J. and Barba, F.J. (2019). Health benefits of olive oil and its components: Impacts on gut microbiota antioxidant activities, and prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 88, pp.220–227. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2019.03.008.

(4) Millman, J.F., Okamoto, S., Teruya, T., Uema, T., Ikematsu, S., Shimabukuro, M. and Masuzaki, H. (2021). Extra-virgin olive oil and the gut-brain axis: influence on gut microbiota, mucosal immunity, and cardiometabolic and cognitive health. Nutrition Reviews, 79(12). doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/nutrit/nuaa148.

(5) Martinez, K.B., Mackert, J.D. and McIntosh, M.K. (2017). Chapter 18 - Polyphenols and Intestinal Health. [online] ScienceDirect. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780128053768000186.

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