Hydroxytyrosol is a phenolic substance mainly existing in olives and their processed products.It has strong antioxidant,cancer prevention,antibacterial,anti inflammatory,lipids lowering and other physiological functions.Moreover,it has high bio absorption and utilization rate.This review summarizes the origin,synthe sis,digestion,absorption and metabolism of hydroxytyrosol,as well as its main physiological functions and mechanism,and its application prospect in animal production,so as to provide theoretical basis and guidance for t...