Supports Heart Health

Numerous studies have shown that EVOO can significantly improve heart health. It helps reduce blood pressure, improves endothelial function (the lining of the blood vessels), and prevents blood clotting. The Mediterranean diet, which is high in EVOO, has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke. The PREDIMED study, a major clinical trial, demonstrated that a diet supplemented with EVOO significantly reduced the incidence of major cardiovascular events.

What is High Blood Pressure?

High blood pressure, or arterial hypertension, is diagnosed when blood pressure readings consistently exceed 140/90 mmHg. This condition is a leading risk factor for the development of arteriosclerosis, a form of artery hardening. Alongside high cholesterol, smoking, obesity, and diabetes, hypertension ranks among the most prevalent health challenges in industrialized nations. Like many other risk factors, lifestyle choices and dietary habits significantly impact the onset and progression of high blood pressure.

In fact, approximately one in four adults suffers from hypertension, a condition that substantially increases the risk of premature death. This is primarily due to the damage it causes to major arteries, particularly those supplying blood to critical organs such as the heart, kidneys, brain and eyes.

EVOO’s Impact on Blood Pressure

Although the precise components of the Mediterranean diet responsible for its beneficial effects on blood pressure have yet to be definitively identified, olive oil has emerged as a key contributor.

Studies have demonstrated that incorporating olive oil into an otherwise unchanged diet produces a marked reduction in blood pressure, a result that appears uniquely attributable to this oil. Regular consumption of olive oil has been shown to lower both systolic (maximum) and diastolic (minimum) blood pressure levels.

Recent findings suggest that olive oil consumption may also reduce the need for antihypertensive medications in patients, possibly due to a decrease in nitric acid production—a mechanism thought to be influenced by the polyphenols present in olive oil. This underscores the oil’s potential not only as a dietary staple but also as a natural aid in managing blood pressure levels.