Effects of High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Sensory Processing in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Pilot Study.

No approved treatments currently exist for the core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), prompting clinicians and families to seek alternative approaches, including dietary and nutritional interventions. The Mediterranean diet (MeDi), characterized by a high intake of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components, is associated with improved health outcomes and reduced risk of chronic diseases. A key element of the MeDi is extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), which is rich in bioactive phenolics, including oleocanthal, oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions, EVOO may contribute to regulating pathological processes in both the central nervous system (CNS) and the gastrointestinal tract, offering a promising avenue for pharmacological and nutritional intervention in children with ASD. This pilot study investigated the effects of a three-month intervention combining the MeDi with EVOO supplementation on ASD symptoms. Ten children diagnosed with ASD aged 5.00-11.7 years, all boys, were recruited from Northern Greece. The changes in social interaction and communication were evaluated using standardized instruments: the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), Word Finding Vocabulary Test (WFVT), Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) and the Sensory Profile (SP). Paired-sample t-tests revealed significant improvements post-intervention in SRS (p = 0.034), ADI-R A (p = 0.008), WFVT (p = 0.020) and ADI-R B (p = 0.022) scores. These findings suggest that EVOO supplementation may reduce the severity of social deficits and enhance communication skills in children with ASD.