What makes Matche so great is that it is the entire olive leaf, from Italy, transformed into a powder without any chemicals. This means that it is possible to consume all the good parts of the leaves, like oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol unlike with traditional teas where you can only pull out so much with hot water.
Matche is characterized by a high content of polyphenols, which are micronutrients we get through our diet. Olive leaf phenols and their derivatives are associated with many therapeutic properties. The health benefits gained from these polyphenols depend on both how much is consumed and how much the body can absorb. The ability of Matche to scavenge reactive oxygen species is associated with its potential role in preventing heart disease and metabolic disorders.
Briefly there are four main benefits of Matche:
(1) High amounts of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory capacity.
(2) May reduce the risk of heart disease.
(3) May help lower blood sugar.
(4) May promote bone health.
But, like everything there are negatives:
(1) May enhance the effect of blood pressure medications.
(2) The research around olive leaves is relatively new.
More in-depth, Matche is likely effective for:
(1) Antioxidant
Hydroxytyrosol is the olive leaf phenol that is most effective at neutralizing free radicals, followed by oleuropein and tyrosol. Hydroxytyrosol improved antioxidant status in several clinical trials. It may also help lower blood sugar due to its ability to block free radical production by Nox2. The existing evidence suggests that olive leaves has antioxidant activity. You may discuss with your doctor how it may help your antioxidant status.
(2) Cardiovascular Health
One of the main phenols in Matche, oleuropein, significantly lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as blood fat and cholesterol levels in some research. The blood pressure-lowering effects of olive leaves are possibly due to its ability to preserve blood vessel function. In animal studies, olive leaves reduced blood pressure, heart rate, and enlargement of the heart and kidney tissues while improving blood vessel function in rats with high blood pressure. Note, however, that it’s not approved by the FDA to treat or prevent these conditions. You may use it to improve your cardiovascular health if your doctor determines that it may help in your case.
(3) Anti-inflammatory
In a small trial on 18 healthy volunteers, olive leaves reduced the production of a pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-8) and improved blood vessel function. Hydroxytyrosol, combined with omega-3 fatty acids and curcumin, reduced inflammation (CRP levels and pain) when taken for 1 month in a clinical trial on 45 women with breast cancer. Hydroxytyrosol also reduced inflammatory pain in a small trial on 25 people with joint disease (gonarthrosis). In colon samples isolated from 14 people with ulcerative colitis, treatment with olive leaves reduced the production of pro-inflammatory molecules (the enzyme COX-2 and the cytokine IL-17) and infiltration of immune cells (CD3, CD4, and CD20), resulting in decreased inflammatory damage. The research noted about is very limited but suggests that olive leaves and its components have some anti-inflammatory activity. Further clinical research should confirm these findings and establish how to use them therapeutically.
(4) Bone Health
There has been some research showing women using olive leaves maintained bone mineral density and increased the blood levels of a bone-forming cell production marker (osteocalcin). The mechanism for this may be that human bone marrow stem increase bone cell production in the presence of oleuropein.
Other potential effects of which there is limited evidence:
Oleuropein, one of the main phenols in olive leaves, improved insulin sensitivity and increased the uptake of blood sugar in diabetic mice. In addition, oleuropein effectively prevented cell death and tumor formation in the spleens and livers of infected mice. Finally, preliminary research suggests that olive leaves may help fight obesity by preventing the body from generating more fat cells.
As always, discuss this with your doctor before starting on something that may have an impact on your health. They have an understanding of your current medications and potential side-effects.
