Oligonol Health Benefits and Uses

Medically reviewed by

on April 15, 2021

Oligonol is a substance extracted from lychee fruit. Known to offer antioxidant effects, oligonol is touted as a natural remedy for a number of health problems. In addition, oligonol is said to promote weight loss and slow the aging process.

Uses

In alternative medicine, oligonol is purported to help treat the following health conditions:

Diabetes
Inflammation
Influenza
Insulin resistance
Metabolic syndrome

Oligonol is also said to protect the body from the negative effects of stress, and inhibit the buildup of abdominal fat.

Benefits

To date, research on the health effects of oligonol on humans is limited. However, there's some evidence that oligonol may offer certain benefits.

Here's a look at a few key findings from available studies:

1) Inflammation

Preliminary research suggests that oligonol may help reduce inflammation, an aging-related biological process linked to the development of many diseases.

In a small study published in Nutrition Research and Practice, researchers assigned 19 healthy young men to four weeks of treatment with either a placebo or a dietary supplement containing oligonol. By the study's end, those treated with oligonol showed a decrease in several markers of inflammation (compared to members of the placebo group). In addition, oligonol appeared to help reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

2) Obesity

In 2018, a double blind case/control study published in Current Nutrition and Food Science, 60 healthy, overweight, and obese Saudi Arabian females were given either oligonol or a placebo for 12 weeks without making changes to their diet or lifestyle. Of the 47 women who completed the study, the oligonol group showed no weight gain while the placebo group saw a significant increase in their average weight.

3) Diabetes

A 2016 study published in Archives of Pharmacy Research investigated the anti-diabetic activities of oligonol and found that it inhibited α-glucosidase and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), which are essential phytochemicals used in type 2 diabetes treatment and prevention.

4) Influenza

Oligonol may help fight off the flu, suggests a 2010 study published in Phytomedicine. In a laboratory experiment, scientists discovered that oligonol may help inhibit the growth and spread of the influenza virus.

Caveats

It's important to keep in mind that dietary supplements haven't been tested for safety by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are largely unregulated. In some cases, the product may deliver doses that differ from the specified amount for each herb. In other cases, the product may be contaminated with other substances such as metals. Also, the safety of supplements in pregnant women, nursing mothers, children, and those with medical conditions or who are taking medications has not been established. You should research how to use supplements safely.

Due to a lack of scientific research on humans, little is known about the safety of long-term use of supplements containing oligonol.

Where to Find It

Widely available for purchase online, supplements containing oligonol can be found in many natural-foods stores and in stores specializing in dietary supplements.

Using Oligonol for Health

Due to the limited research, it's too soon to recommend oligonol as a treatment for any condition. It's important to note that self-treating a condition with oligonol and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. If you're considering the use of oligonol in the treatment of a condition, make sure to consult your physician before starting your supplement regimen. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.