Olive fruit may defend against Colon Cancer.

Olive products are an important part of the Mediterranean diet, which has been considered to be protective against heart disease and cancer. In the case of cancer prevention, olives contain compounds called polyphenols, which have an effect on cell proliferation by restoring apoptosis (programmed death of specific cells such as mutated or damaged ones). A study conducted in Spain showed the antiproliferative activity of two specific olive polyphenols, maslinic acid and oleanolic acid. These compounds increased activity of a certain molecule (caspase-3) responsible for apoptosis 6 times more than the control cells. For the first time, researchers were able to show that olive fruit extracts inhibited cell proliferation without cytotoxicity and restored apoptosis in colon cancer cells.1

References:
1. J. Nutr, 136:2553-2557, Oct 2006.