Tyrosol

Tyrosol is an organic compound with the formula. Classified as a phenylethanoid, a derivative of phenethyl alcohol, it is found in a variety of natural sources. The compound is colorless solid. The principal source in the human diet is olive oil.

Research

As an antioxidant, tyrosol may protect cells against injury due to oxidation in vitro. 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.
Tyrosol may also be cardioprotective. Tyrosol-treated animals showed significant increase in the phosphorylation of Akt, eNOS, and FOXO3a. In addition, tyrosol also induced the expression of the protein SIRT1 in the heart after myocardial infarction in a rat MI model.
Tyrosol forms esters with a variety of organic acids. For example, oleocanthal is the elenolic acid ester of tyrosol.