Olive Polyphenols May Affect Learning and Memory

Olive Polyphenols May Affect Learning and Memory

A recent research carried out in Italy by the (IBCN); Institute of Cellular Biology and Neurobiology reveled that a natural extract made from olive polyphenols, a powerful antioxidant active in olives, could potentially have a positive impact in learning and memory.



The IBCN’s research paper was published in The Journal Nutrition, and it shows that olive polyphenols increase levels of the proteins ‘neurotrophins’  and ‘neurotrophic factors’ Neurotrophins are a family of proteins that induce the survival, development, and function of neurons; And Neurotrophic factors are a family of proteins that are responsible for the growth and survival of developing neurons and maintenance of mature neurons.

The Experiment was carried out over 10 days by providing subjects with olive extract obtained from olive pomace; Olive pomace oil is the oil that is extracted from the olive pulp after the first press.

The researches stablished a substantial increase in the level of neurotrophins’  and ‘neurotrophic factors’ among the subjects studied. Of course,  more research in this area has to be done, however, this research by IBCN concludes clearly that olive polyphenols could play a crucial role helping in human memory process.


This article was sourced from: Elena Paramagnets, The Cellular Biology and Neurobiology Institute, and Natura Ingredients.

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Olive Paste

Olive Paste

A pureed spread made from black olives, anchovies, capers, olive oil, and at times is seasoned 
with garlic and herbs. It is used as a basting paste or condiment for meat, fish and vegetables,
 but can also be served as an appetizer spread for small toast or crackers. Available in many
 grocery stores and delicatessens, an Olive Paste may also be referred to as a tapenade.

Green Olive Paste

Black Olive Paste

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Olive harvesting

This is a step by step gallery of olive harvesting, as practiced in the village Samiko in the Peloponnese, Western Greece.

Preparation

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  The olive pickers access the olive grove, usually by pick-up truck.
 
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  First action is to lay out the olive nets and sheets on the ground.
 
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  Some of the olive branches are sawed off, in this way serving both pruning and facilitation of picking.
 
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  The branches and some olives have now fallen on the nets.

Harvesting

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  Handheld mechanical tools are often used to speed up the picking process.
 
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  Cut branches are passed through a special harvesting machine to remove and collect the olives.

Harvested olives

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  The olives are gathered into piles by lifting and shaking the corners of the nets.
 
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  Olives are transferred to jute or synthetic sacks and loaded onto the pick-up truck, to be carried to the oil press.

Post-harvest works

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  Excess branches are burnt with special care so that the fire does not spread.
 
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  The olive pickers are "rewarded" with a rainbow in the sky when leaving the olive grove:)
  
  sourse: http://www.wikipedia.org/

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