What is "tyrosol"

n. (context organic compound English) A particular phenylethanoid found in olive oil.

Tyrosol is a phenylethanoid, a derivative of phenethyl alcohol. It is a natural phenolic antioxidant present in a variety of natural sources. The principal source in the human diet is olive oil. It is also one of the main natural phenols in argan oil.

As an antioxidant, tyrosol can protect cells against injury due to oxidation. Although it is not as potent as other antioxidants present in olive oil, its higher concentration and good bioavailability indicate that it may have an important overall effect. This effect may contribute significantly to the health benefits of olive oil and, more generally, the Mediterranean diet.

Tyrosol present in wine is also shown to be cardioprotective. Samson et al. has shown that tyrosol-treated animals showed significant increase in the phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS and FOXO3a. In addition, tyrosol also induced the expression of longevity protein SIRT1 in the heart after myocardial infarction in a rat MI model. Hence tyrosol's SIRT1, Akt and eNOS activating power adds another dimension to the wine research, because it adds a great link to the French paradox. In conclusion these findings suggest that tyrosol induces myocardial protection against ischemia related stress by inducing survival and longevity proteins that may be considered as anti-aging therapy for the heart.

In olive oil, tyrosol forms esters with fatty acids.