These results provide evidence that olive oil might exert beneficial effects on endothelial function as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function , thus representing a key ingredient contributing to the cardiovascular-protective effects of a Mediterranean diet .
The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize data from r and omized controlled trials investigating the effects of olive oil on markers of inflammation or endothelial function .
Olive oil polyphenols decrease blood pressure and improve endothelial function in young women with mild hypertension.
BACKGROUND Olive oil polyphenols have been associated with several cardiovascular health benefits . This study aims to examine the influence of a polyphenol-rich olive oil on blood pressure ( BP ) and endothelial function in 24 young women with high-normal BP or stage 1 essential hypertension . METHODS We conducted a double-blind , r and omized , crossover dietary-intervention study . After a run-in period of 4 months ( baseline values ) , two diets were used , one with polyphenol-rich olive oil ( ∼30 mg/day ) , the other with polyphenol-free olive oil . Each dietary period lasted 2 months with a 4-week washout between diets . Systolic and diastolic BP , serum or plasma biomarkers of endothelial function , oxidative stress , and inflammation , and ischemia-induced hyperemia in the forearm were measured . RESULTS When compared to baseline values , only the polyphenol-rich olive oil diet led to a significant ( P < 0.01 ) decrease of 7.91 mm Hg in systolic and 6.65 mm Hg of diastolic BP . A similar finding was found for serum asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA ) ( -0.09 ± 0.01 µmol/l , P < 0.01 ) , oxidized low-density lipoprotein ( ox-LDL ) ( -28.2 ± 28.5 µg/l , P < 0.01 ) , and plasma C-reactive protein ( CRP ) ( -1.9 ± 1.3 mg/l , P < 0.001 ) . The polyphenol-rich olive oil diet also elicited an increase in plasma nitrites/nitrates ( + 4.7 ± 6.6 µmol/l , P < 0.001 ) and hyperemic area after ischemia ( + 345 ± 386 perfusion units (PU)/sec , P < 0.001 ) . CONCLUSIONS We concluded that the consumption of a diet containing polyphenol-rich olive oil can decrease BP and improve endothelial function in young women with high-normal BP or stage 1 essential hypertension
These results provide evidence that olive oil might exert beneficial effects on endothelial function as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function , thus representing a key ingredient contributing to the cardiovascular-protective effects of a Mediterranean diet .
The aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize data from r and omized controlled trials investigating the effects of olive oil on markers of inflammation or endothelial function .