Big Differences in Strength of Olive Leaf Supplements in ConsumerLab Tests

White Plains, New York, September 1, 2022 — Unlike olive fruit and olive oil, olive leaf contains significant concentrations of oleuropein, a potentially beneficial compound. Olive leaf extract supplements are often promoted for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar. But do they really work, and if so, which olive leaf products on the market provide the best quality and value?

To find out, ConsumerLab recently reviewed the clinical evidence, and selected, purchased, and tested popular olive leaf extract supplements on the market, carefully checking to see if they contained the expected concentration oleuropein. Each product was also tested for contamination with lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury, and liquid extracts were evaluated for taste.

The tests confirmed that the extracts varied in concentration from 1% to 22% oleuropein, yielding amounts of oleuropein per serving ranging from 36 mg to 100 mg. Three products were found to contain 18% to 41% more than expected from the label. Across the products, the cost to obtain 50 mg ranged from 5 cents to 36 cents, based on their claimed amounts.

ConsumerLab chose an overall Top Pick olive leaf extract and Top Pick liquid olive leaf extract providing doses of oleuropein used in clinical studies and representing the best quality and value.

The results are available online now in ConsumerLab's new Olive Leaf Extract Supplements Review, which includes test results and comparisons for Comvita Olive Leaf Extract, Nature’s Way Olive Leaf, NOW Olive Leaf Glycerite, Paradise Olive Leaf, Solaray Olive Leaf Extract, and Swanson Olive Leaf Extract.

The review also summarizes the clinical evidence for and against the use of olive leaf extract for lowering blood pressure and blood sugar, and treating colds and cold sores. It also explains dosage, what to look for on labels when choosing an olive leaf extract, and potential side effects and drug interactions with olive leaf.

Founded in 1999, ConsumerLab.com is a leading provider of consumer information and independent evaluations of products that affect health and nutrition. Membership to ConsumerLab.com is available online and provides immediate access to continually updated reviews of nearly every popular type of dietary supplement and health food, answers to reader questions, and product recalls and warnings. ConsumerLab also provides independent product testing through its voluntary Quality Certification Program. The company is privately held and based in New York. It has no ownership from, or interest in, companies that manufacture, distribute, or sell consumer products.