How does extra virgin olive oil help control blood sugar and prevent diabetes?
Effective metabolic control, especially after the afternoon hours, is a fundamental pillar for mitigating complications associated with diabetes and optimizing blood sugar levels.
According to current nutritional evidence analyzing the impact of nighttime eating , strategic food selection is crucial to avoid unwanted blood sugar spikes and stabilize insulin response during sleep. In this context, radically replacing simple carbohydrates and added sugars with slow-digesting macronutrients and healthy fats represents the most effective dietary intervention.
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Among the components most notable for their ability to slow gastric emptying and modulate glucose absorption is olive oil , an essential monounsaturated fat that not only optimizes insulin sensitivity but also provides a powerful anti-inflammatory effect that protects the cardiovascular system.
The synergistic combination of lean protein, soluble fiber, and heart-healthy lipids—such as those found in avocados, nuts, and the aforementioned olive oil —acts as a natural metabolic brake against carbohydrate-rich foods, achieving a gradual release of energy that stabilizes blood sugar and prevents both postprandial hyperglycemia and nocturnal hypoglycemia.
For people managing diabetes , establishing an evening eating routine focused on low glycemic index, high nutrient density foods is a key tool to improve glycated hemoglobin, promote prolonged satiety , optimize overall metabolic functions, and ensure waking up with stable and safe glucose profiles.
Extra virgin olive oil to regulate glucose: Scientific breakthrough in Malaga
The Translational Research Group in Cardiovascular Diseases , part of the Biomedical Research and Nanomedicine Platform of Malaga (IBIMA BIONAND Platform), has conducted a pioneering study that could have a significant impact on the management of kidney disease in Spain. This is due to the effect on the kidneys of one of the polyphenols present in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) , 3′,4′-dihydroxyphenylglycol ( DHPG ).
The research focused on analyzing the impact of this polyphenolic compound on kidney damage associated with type 1 diabetes, a disease that affects a large number of people in Spain. Long-term complications of this disease, such as kidney disease, represent a significant burden for patients and the Spanish healthcare system.
The study, conducted on rodents, revealed promising results. Diabetic animals treated with the polyphenolic compound showed a reduction in oxidative and nitrosative stress, as well as an increase in prostacyclin production, an important biomarker for maintaining kidney function. A decrease in urinary protein excretion and improvements in glomerular morphological parameters, key indicators of kidney damage, were also observed.
Our study shows promising evidence that administering DHPG to rodents with type 1 diabetes produces a nephroprotective effect. This is likely due to the combined antioxidant, antinitrosant, and prostacyclin-regulating effects. Furthermore, Drs. González Correa and De la Cruz Cortés state that the synergistic effect of combining this product with other polyphenolic compounds is expected to enhance renal protection induced by diabetes mellitus.
These results represent an important step in the search for innovative solutions for the prevention and treatment of kidney disease in Spain. While further research is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and confirm the findings, the discovery of a compound in extra virgin olive oil with kidney-protective properties opens new avenues for research and the development of more effective and targeted therapies.
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The study, published in the journal Nutrients, is led by researchers from the Translational Research Group in Cardiovascular Diseases, whose principal investigators are José Antonio González Correa and José Pedro de la Cruz Cortés. Other participants include professionals from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Málaga, the CSIC's Graso Institute, the Gómez Ulla Central Defense Hospital, the Axarquía Hospital, and the Málaga-Guadalhorce Health District.
Prior consumption of extra virgin olive oil helps control glucose
A study from Kyoto University has revealed that consuming a moderate dose of olive oil before eating carbohydrates helps prevent blood glucose spikes , a critical factor for people with diabetes. This food sequencing strategy stimulates the pre-release of digestive hormones (such as GLP-1 and glucagon), which significantly slows gastric emptying .
By delaying digestion and the passage of carbohydrates into the intestine, sugar absorption occurs gradually and in a controlled manner , reducing the burden on insulin metabolism. Researchers emphasize that adjusting the timing of food intake offers a practical alternative and an effective non-pharmacological intervention for improving postprandial glycemic control without the need for strict diets.
Anti-inflammatory and Health Benefits of EVOO
The article highlights that regular consumption of extra virgin olive oil , rich in polyphenols such as oleocanthal, reduces C-reactive protein (CRP) levels —a key indicator of systemic inflammation—by up to 22%. In addition to offering potent direct anti-inflammatory effects, it is easily digested without irritating the stomach or overloading the liver. Among its main metabolic benefits are its support in regulating appetite and preventing diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and glycemic control.
However, experts remind us that it should be consumed in moderation—since a single tablespoon provides about 120 calories—and emphasize that it acts as a healthy complement within the diet, without replacing conventional medical treatments in any case.
