Is Extra Virgin Olive Oil Nature’s GLP-1?
A Mediterranean Medicine Perspective on Metabolism, Weight Loss, and Gut Health
By Dr. Artemis Morris
Mediterranean Nutrition & Lifestyle Expert
Founder and Medical Director, Artemis Wellness Center, LLC
Why Do You Lose Weight when eating more in the Mediterranean?
Have you ever noticed that while on vacation in the Mediterranean, you seem to lose
weight—even though you are eating and drinking more?
It's not just the walking or the Greek salad.
Something deeper is happening at the level of your metabolism.
Everything we take in—food, water, air, and even our environment—communicates with
our biology, influencing whether we move toward vitality or disease.¹ This concept—that
our health is shaped by cumulative exposures from conception onward, including the
food we eat and the environments we live in—is known as the exposome, reminding us
that metabolism is not just about calories, but an adaptive network continuously
interacting with our internal and external environment.
One of today's most well-known metabolic signals in that network and class of popular
weight loss medications is a gut hormone called GLP-1.
What is GLP-1—and why is it so popular?
GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is a natural hormone released when we eat. It plays a
central role in metabolic health by:
Increasing satiety (helping us feel full).²
Stimulating insulin from the pancreas and lowering blood sugar.²
Slowing gastric emptying to prolong fullness and slow blood sugar absorption.²
GLP-1 receptor agonist medications (GLP-1 RAs) mimic this hormone and have
become widely used—approximately 1 in 8 U.S. adults have tried them.³
While these medications can be effective, they amplify physiology rather than
restore it. They also carry potential risks, including gastrointestinal side effects
(nausea, bloating, vomiting), loss of lean muscle mass and sagging skin due to rapid
weight loss, and more serious complications such as pancreatitis, thyroid conditions, and
gallbladder disease.⁵⁻⁷
Additionally, most people gain the weight back after stopping the drugs which highlights
the need for more sustainable, root-cause approaches to metabolic health and nutrition.
The Mediterranean Diet: The Gold Standard for Metabolic Health
Decades of research consistently show that the Mediterranean dietary pattern is one
of the most effective strategies for preventing and managing chronic and metabolic
diseases.⁸⁻⁹
The Mediterranean dietary pattern of eating emphasizes:
- Abundant whole, plant-forward foods
- Fiber-rich seasonal vegetables, fruits, and legumes
- Grass-fed and pasture-raised animal protein in moderation
- And most importantly-olive oil as the primary fat
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is rich in heart- healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs)
and also contains higher amounts of bioactive compounds and polyphenols that:
- Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress¹⁰
- Improve insulin sensitivity¹³
- Support cardiovascular health¹⁰
In a large prospective study of over 120,000 adults, even modest intake, as little as ½
tablespoon daily—was associated with less weight gain over time compared to other
fats like margarine and butter.¹¹
Why EVOO Is More Than Just a Healthy Fat
Extra virgin olive oil is much more than a source of calories(120 per Tbs)—it is a metabolically active functional food.
Research shows EVOO can:
EVOO and Women's Metabolic Health
EVOO, especially as part of the Mediterranean diet, has been shown to have beneficial effects for women at all stages, including for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a metabolic disease that affects fertility, perimenopause, and menopause. For women—especially during perimenopause and menopause—metabolic shifts can increase the risk of weight gain, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease.
A systematic review of Mediterranean diet interventions in menopausal women found:
This highlights EVOO's role not just in prevention—but in hormonal and metabolic resilience.
Can EVOO Naturally Support GLP-1?
Emerging research suggests that EVOO supports our body's own GLP-1 and metabolic signals.
Human clinical studies show that consuming EVOO can:
This means EVOO naturally regulates our appetite and blood sugar, working with the body rather than overriding it.
The Science: How EVOO Preserves GLP-1 Activity
While the strongest evidence supports EVOO's ability to enhance GLP-1 activity, emerging research suggests it may also influence other gut-derived incretin hormones that function similarly, such as Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide(GIP) and Peptide YY (PYY)." A fascinating mechanisms was found that involves an enzyme called DPP-IV, which breaks down GLP-1.
EVOO polyphenols—including oleuropein, oleocanthal, and hydroxytyrosol—have been shown to:
Inhibits DPP-IV activity, helps to preserve GLP-1 and other hormonal signals, and extends its metabolic benefits. ¹⁷ Rather than acting on a single pathway, EVOO appears to modulate a broader network of incretin and satiety signals—highlighting how whole foods can influence multiple metabolic pathways simultaneously.
New Research: Olive Compounds That Stimulate GLP-1
Recent research on elenolic acid, a compound derived from olives found in EVOO, shows:
In preclinical models, its effects were comparable to GLP-1 medications and even exceeded metformin.¹⁸
This reinforces a powerful concept:
Food can influence metabolism at the same biochemical pathways as pharmaceuticals.
Beyond GLP-1: Whole-Body Metabolic Effects
EVOO supports metabolic health across multiple systems:
Gut Health
Liver Health
Body Composition & Inflammation
Furthermore, EVOO consumption has been associated with lower all- cause mortality²⁶
The Exposome: Why Our Mother and the Environment Matters
Metabolism is shaped not only by what we eat, but by cumulative lifelong exposures to fat-soluble environmental chemicals—including a class of endocrine-disrupting compounds known as 'obesogens'—that can disrupt metabolic signaling and the gut microbiome, even without taking a single bite. The exposome encompasses diet, toxins, stress, and other environmental influences that regulate gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.¹ These epi- meaning "above" genetic factors can turn genes "on or off" without changing DNA, affecting metabolism across generations. Epigenetics and our increasing risk of low-level toxin exposure in our food and environment begs us not only to lose weight, but to clean up the mess that initiated and compounds our risk of chronic metabolic diseases for generations. EVOO helps to do both.
Extra virgin olive oil supports metabolic health while fostering a more sustainable relationship with the environment, as reflected in research on its impact on human and planetary health conducted by researchers worldwide. This shows that the same principles that nourish our metabolism and microbiome can also restore and sustain ecological balance.
A Mediterranean Perspective: The Pleasure Principle
EVOO is more than a nutrient—it is a ritual rooted in culture, connection, and pleasure that nourishes us while it gives back to the environment that sustains us. EVOO is a functional and medicinal ingredient that when incorporated into your diet as the primary source of fat/oil can complement, replace and sustain judicious use of pharmaceuticals for an improved connection to food and metabolic health.
It invites us to:
Final Takeaway: Nature's Intelligence at Work
Extra virgin olive oil is not simply "nature's GLP-1."
It is something far more powerful:
A functional food that supports metabolic health at its roots—naturally, sustainably, and deliciously.
Using EVOO daily (about 2 -4 tablespoons or more) helps:
It is a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern metabolic science… and it tastes good too.
References
1. Sarigiannis D, Karakitsios S, Anesti O, Stem A, Valvi D, Sumner SCJ, Chatzi L, Snyder MP, Thompson DC, Vasiliou V. Advancing translational exposomics: bridging genome, exposome and personalized medicine. Hum Genomics. 2025;19(1):48. doi:10.1186/s40246-025-00761-6
2. Kreymann B, Williams G, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR. Glucagon-like peptide-1 7–36: a physiological incretin in man. Lancet. 1987;2(8571):1300-1304. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(87)91194-9
3. Harris E. Poll: Roughly 12% of U.S. adults have used a GLP-1 drug, even if unaffordable. JAMA. 2024;332(1):8. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.10333
4. Noubiap JJ, Nansseu JR, Nyaga UF, et al. Worldwide trends in metabolic syndrome from 2000 to 2023: a systematic review and modeling analysis. Nat Commun. 2026;17:573. doi:10.1038/s41467-025-67268-5
5. Chao AM, Gilden A, Wadden TA. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists for obesity: growing popularity met with growing questions over safety. PLoS Med. 2026;23(1):e1004871. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1004871
6. Pillarisetti L, Agrawal DK. Semaglutide: double-edged sword with risks and benefits. Arch Intern Med Res. 2025;8(1):1-13. doi:10.26502/aimr.0189
7. Fahim SA, Attia YM, Messiha BA, Nabawy AY, Refaat F, El-Maadawy WH. Comparative safety and side effects of semaglutide and tirzepatide: implications for clinical decision-making in obesity management. Biomed Pharmacother. 2025;193:118731. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2025.118731
8. Guasch-Ferré M, Willett WC. The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview. J Intern Med. 2021;290(3):549-566. doi:10.1111/joim.13333
9. Srambikkal DV, Syed Altaf RR, Mohan A, et al. Mediterranean diet as a metabolic strategy for healthy aging. J Nutr Physiol. 2026;5:100015. doi:10.1016/j.jnphys.2026.100015
10. Serreli G, Boronat A, De la Torre R, Rodriguez-Moratò J, Deiana M. Cardiovascular and metabolic benefits of extra virgin olive oil phenolic compounds. Cells. 2024;13(18):1555. doi:10.3390/cells13181555
11. Guasch-Ferré M, Pacheco LS, Tessier AJ, et al. Changes in olive oil consumption and long-term body weight changes in U.S. cohorts. Am J Clin Nutr. 2025;121(5):1149-1156. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.02.012
12. Gonçalves C, Moreira H, Santos R. Mediterranean diet interventions in menopausal women: a systematic review. AIMS Public Health. 2024;11(1):110-129. doi:10.3934/publichealth.2024005
13. Takhtavous A, et al. Effects of olive oil consumption on insulin resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2025.
14. Du Y, Zhou H. Effect of olive oil consumption on diabetes risk: a dose-response meta-analysis. J Health Popul Nutr. 2025;44(1):135. doi:10.1186/s41043-025-00866-7
15. Carnevale R, Nocella C, Cammisotto V, et al. Extra virgin olive oil increases postprandial GLP-1 and improves glycemic control in healthy subjects. Clin Nutr. 2017;36(6):1601-1607. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2016.10.017
16. Ishibashi Y, Matsui T, Maeda S, et al. Advanced glycation end products evoke endothelial dysfunction via DPP-4 activation. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2013;12:125. doi:10.1186/1475-2840-12-125
17. Lammi C, Bartolomei M, Bollati C, et al. Phenolic extracts from extra virgin olive oils inhibit dipeptidyl peptidase IV activity. Antioxidants (Basel). 2021;10(7):1133. doi:10.3390/antiox10071133
18. Wang Y, Alkhalidy H, Cao X, et al. Olive-derived elenolic acid surpasses metformin and rivals GLP-1 therapies. J Nutr Biochem. 2026;150:110206. doi:10.1016/j.jnutbio.2025.110206
19. Wang Y, Wu Y, Wang A, et al. Elenolic acid stimulates GLP-1 and PYY secretion. Front Nutr. 2022;9:1051452. doi:10.3389/fnut.2022.1051452
20. Amodeo S, Mirarchi L, Seidita A, Citarrella R, Licata A, Soresi M, Iovanna JL, Giannitrapani L. EVOO's effects on incretin production: is there a rationale for a combination in T2DM therapy? Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(17):10120. doi:10.3390/ijms231710120
21. Bartimoccia S, Di Santo S, Nocella C, et al. Extra virgin olive oil reduces gut permeability and endotoxemia. Nutrients. 2022;14(11):2213. doi:10.3390/nu14112213
22. Cândido FG, Valente FX, Grześkowiak ŁM, et al. Impact of extra virgin olive oil consumption on body composition. Eur J Nutr. 2018;57(8):3015-3025. doi:10.1007/s00394-017-1567-2
23. Patti AM, Al-Rasadi K, Giglio RV, et al. Natural approaches to metabolic syndrome. Metabolites. 2020;10(6):243. doi:10.3390/metabo10060243
24. Tsamos G, et al. Extra virgin olive oil and NAFLD. Nutrients. 2024;16(3).
25. Bernardino M, Tiribelli C, Rosso N. EVOO in MASLD. Nutrients. 2025;17(18):2932. doi:10.3390/nu17182932
26. Lee MK, Rhee EJ, Kim MC, et al. Metabolic health vs obesity. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2015;30(4):522-530. doi:10.3803/EnM.2015.30.4.522
27. Lotta LA, Abbasi A, Sharp SJ, et al. Definitions of metabolic health and diabetes risk. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(11):2177-2187. doi:10.2337/dc15-1218
28. Soares MJ, Cummings SJ, Mamo JC, Kenrick M, Piers LS. The influence of the source of dietary fat on postprandial thermogenesis and substrate oxidation rates in postmenopausal women. Br J Nutr. 2004;91(2):245-252. doi:10.1079/BJN20031047
29. North American Olive Oil Association. New Year, Better Nutrition: Why olive oil helps you get more from vegetables. AboutOliveOil.org. Published 2025. Accessed March 31, 2026