Effects of Phenolic-Rich Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Prebiotics on Sarcopenia in Older Adults: FOOP-Sarc Project.

EVOO combined with prebiotics significantly increased rectus femoris cross-sectional area compared to EVOO alone in both the total population and females at end-of-intervention.

• EVOO+PREB vs. EVOO increased cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris in all populations by 0.827 cm2 (95% CI: 0.16; 1.5), p = 0.017
• In females specifically, the increase was 0.569 cm2 (95% CI: -1.0; -0.08), p = 0.024
• Measurements were assessed by ultrasound at end of the 12-week intervention
• The trial included 38 participants (69.6 ± 4.1 years; 31 women) with probable sarcopenia

EVOO combined with prebiotics significantly increased rectus femoris muscle thickness compared to EVOO alone in both the total population and females at end-of-intervention.

• EVOO+PREB vs. EVOO increased rectus femoris muscle thickness in all populations by 0.195 cm (95% CI: 0.04; 0.35), p = 0.015
• In females specifically, the increase was 0.179 cm (95% CI: 0.05; 0.31), p = 0.009
• Measurements were assessed by ultrasound

EVOO combined with prebiotics significantly increased quadriceps muscle thickness in females compared to EVOO alone at end-of-intervention.

• EVOO+PREB vs. EVOO increased muscle thickness of the quadriceps in females by 0.230 cm (95% CI: 0.008; 0.45), p = 0.044
• Measurement was assessed by ultrasound at the end of the 12-week intervention period

EVOO combined with prebiotics significantly increased rectus femoris cross-sectional area and muscle thickness in females compared to ROO at end-of-intervention.

• EVOO+PREB vs. ROO increased cross-sectional area of the rectus femoris in females by 0.579 cm2 (95% CI: 0.07; 1.1), p = 0.026
• EVOO+PREB vs. ROO increased rectus femoris muscle thickness in females by 0.133 cm (95% CI: 0.00; 0.27), p = 0.050
• ROO group received refined olive oil (30 mL/day; 90-mg caffeic acid) plus maltodextrin placebo

At 12-week follow-up after intervention cessation, both EVOO and EVOO+PREB significantly increased skeletal muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass compared to ROO.

• Increases were observed in all populations assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
• This effect was observed at 12-week follow-up, after the intervention had already ended
• The finding suggests a sustained or delayed effect of phenolic-rich EVOO on muscle mass

At 12-week follow-up, EVOO alone compared to ROO significantly increased skeletal muscle mass index and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index.

• Assessment was performed using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)
• This was observed in all populations at 12 weeks after the end of the 12-week intervention
• EVOO group received 30 mL/day of phenolic-rich extra virgin olive oil (296-300 mg caffeic acid) plus maltodextrin placebo

At 12-week follow-up, EVOO compared to ROO improved the overall quality of life score in females.

• Quality of life improvement was observed specifically in the female subgroup
• This was a secondary outcome assessed at 12 weeks after intervention cessation
• The trial enrolled 31 women out of 38 total participants

The study was a 12-week randomised, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled, three-arm clinical trial in home-dwelling older adults with at least one sarcopenia parameter altered.

• Participants were 60-80 years old (mean 69.6 ± 4.1 years), and 31 of 38 were women
• Three intervention groups: ROO (n=13), EVOO (n=14), and EVOO+PREB (n=11)
• All groups followed co-created dietary and physical activity recommendations
• Prebiotic consisted of fructooligosaccharides and inulin at 7.5 g/day; maltodextrin served as placebo
• Registered as NCT05485402, registration date 03/08/2022