Effects of Olive Oil on Blood Pressure: Epidemiological, Clinical, and Mechanistic Evidence

The increasing access to antihypertensive medications has improved longevity and quality of life in hypertensive patients. Nevertheless, hypertension still remains a major risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction, suggesting the need to implement management of pre- and hypertensive patients. In addition to antihypertensive medications, lifestyle changes, including healthier dietary patterns, such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to favorably affect blood pressure and are now recommended as integrative tools in hypertension management. An analysis of the effects of nutritional components of the Mediterranean diet(s) on blood pressure has therefore become mandatory. After a literature review of the impact of Mediterranean diet(s) on cardiovascular risk factors, we here analyze the effects of olive oil and its major components on blood pressure in healthy and cardiovascular disease individuals and examine underlying mechanisms of action. Both experimental and human studies agree in showing anti-hypertensive effects of olive oil. We conclude that due to its high oleic acid and antioxidant polyphenol content, the consumption of olive oil may be advised as the optimal fat choice in the management protocols for hypertension in both healthy and cardiovascular disease patients.

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Olive oil, the Mediterranean diet, and arterial blood pressure: the Greek European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ◽

10.1093/ajcn/80.4.1012 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 80 (4) ◽

pp. 1012-1018 ◽

Cited By ~ 317

Author(s):

Theodora Psaltopoulou ◽

Androniki Naska ◽

Philippos Orfanos ◽

Dimitrios Trichopoulos ◽

Theodoros Mountokalakis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Arterial Blood Pressure ◽

Arterial Blood ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Prospective Investigation

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The Fluid Aspect of the Mediterranean Diet in the Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes: The Role of Polyphenol Content in Moderate Consumption of Wine and Olive Oil

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11112833 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 2833 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Paola Ditano-Vázquez ◽

José David Torres-Peña ◽

Francisco Galeano-Valle ◽

Ana Isabel Pérez-Caballero ◽

Pablo Demelo-Rodríguez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Red Wine ◽

Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Virgin Olive Oil ◽

Atheromatous Plaque ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Wine Polyphenols ◽

The Mediterranean

A growing interest has emerged in the beneficial effects of plant-based diets for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. The Mediterranean diet, one of the most widely evaluated dietary patterns in scientific literature, includes in its nutrients two fluid foods: olive oil, as the main source of fats, and a low-to-moderate consumption of wine, mainly red, particularly during meals. Current mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet include a reduction in inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, improvement in lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and endothelial function, as well as antithrombotic properties. Most of these effects are attributable to bioactive ingredients including polyphenols, mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Polyphenols are a heterogeneous group of phytochemicals containing phenol rings. The principal classes of red wine polyphenols include flavonols (quercetin and myricetin), flavanols (catechin and epicatechin), anthocyanin and stilbenes (resveratrol). Olive oil has at least 30 phenolic compounds. Among them, the main are simple phenols (tyrosol and hydroxytyrosol), secoroids and lignans. The present narrative review focuses on phenols, part of red wine and virgin olive oil, discussing the evidence of their effects on lipids, blood pressure, atheromatous plaque and glucose metabolism.

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The Impact of Treatment Adherence for Patients With Diabetes and Hypertension on Cardiovascular Disease Risk: Protocol for a Retrospective Cohort Study, 2008-2018 (Preprint)

10.2196/preprints.13571 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Min Su ◽

Victoria Haldane ◽

Ross Upshur ◽

Frank Sullivan ◽

France Légaré ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Clinical Outcomes ◽

Treatment Adherence ◽

Retrospective Cohort ◽

Regression Models ◽

Hypertensive Patients ◽

Primary Care Settings ◽

Reference Number ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally and in Canada. Diabetes and hypertension are major risk factors for CVD events. Despite the increasing availability of effective treatments, the majority of diabetic and hypertensive patients do not have adequate blood pressure and glycemic control. One of the major contributors is poor treatment adherence. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate the impact of treatment adherence for patients with both diabetes and hypertension on acute severe CVD events and intermediate clinical outcomes in Canadian primary care settings. METHODS We will conduct a population-based retrospective cohort study of patients living with both diabetes and hypertension in Ontario, Canada, between January 1, 2008, and March 31, 2018. The Social Cognitive Theory will be used as a conceptual framework by which to frame the reciprocal relationship between treatment adherence, personal factors, and environmental determinants and how this interplay impacts CVD events and clinical outcomes. Data will be derived from the Diabetes Action Canada National Data Repository. A time-varying Cox proportional hazards model will be used to estimate the impacts of treatment adherence on CVD morbidity and mortality. Multivariable linear regression models and hierarchical regression models will be used to estimate the associations between treatment adherence of different medication categories and intermediate clinical outcomes. Our primary outcome is the association between treatment adherence and the risk of acute severe CVD events, including CVD mortality. The secondary outcome is the association between treatment adherence and intermediate clinical outcomes including diastolic and systolic blood pressures, glycated hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and total cholesterol. Owing to data limitation, we use medication prescriptions as a proxy to estimate treatment adherence. We assume that a patient adhered to medications if she or he had any prescription record in the 4 preceding quarters and 1 quarter after each quarter of interest. Acute severe CVD events are defined based on the World Health Organization’s Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease Project, including acute coronary heart disease, stroke, and heart failure. As causes of death are not available, the number of CVD deaths will be computed using the most recent systolic blood pressure distributions and the population attributable risks related to systolic blood pressure level. RESULTS The project was funded by Diabetes Action Canada (reference number: 503854) and approved by the University of Toronto Research Ethics Board (reference number: 36065). The project started in June 2018 and is expected to be finished by September 2019. CONCLUSIONS The findings will be helpful in identifying the challenges of treatment adherence for diabetic and hypertensive patients in primary care settings. This will also help to develop intervention strategies to promote treatment adherence for patients with multi-morbidities. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/13571

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Effects of an Onion-Olive Oil Maceration Product Containing Essential Ingredients of the Mediterranean Diet on Blood Pressure and Blood Fluidity

Arzneimittelforschung ◽

10.1055/s-0031-1300011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 51 (02) ◽

pp. 104-111

Author(s):

Beate Mayer ◽

Ulrich Kalus ◽

Alexander Grigorov ◽

Gerhard Pindur ◽

Friedrich Jung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Blood Fluidity ◽

The Mediterranean

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Mediterranean Diet Reduces Atherosclerosis Progression in Coronary Heart Disease: An Analysis of the CORDIOPREV Randomized Controlled Trial

Stroke ◽

10.1161/strokeaha.120.033214 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jose Jimenez-Torres ◽

Juan F. Alcalá-Diaz ◽

Jose D. Torres-Peña ◽

Francisco M. Gutierrez-Mariscal ◽

Ana Leon-Acuña ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Carotid Plaque ◽

Disease Risk ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Cardiovascular Disease Risk ◽

Low Fat ◽

Low Fat Diet ◽

The Mediterranean

Background and Purpose: Lifestyle and diet affect cardiovascular risk, although there is currently no consensus about the best dietary model for the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease. The CORDIOPREV study (Coronary Diet Intervention With Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Prevention) is an ongoing prospective, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial in 1002 coronary heart disease patients, whose primary objective is to compare the effect of 2 healthy dietary patterns (low-fat rich in complex carbohydrates versus Mediterranean diet rich in extra virgin olive oil) on the incidence of cardiovascular events. Here, we report the results of one secondary outcome of the CORDIOPREV study. Thus, to evaluate the efficacy of these diets in reducing cardiovascular disease risk. Intima-media thickness of both common carotid arteries (IMT-CC) was ultrasonically assessed bilaterally. IMT-CC is a validated surrogate for the status and future cardiovascular disease risk. Methods: From the total participants, 939 completed IMT-CC evaluation at baseline and were randomized to follow a Mediterranean diet (35% fat, 22% monounsaturated fatty acids, <50% carbohydrates) or a low-fat diet (28% fat, 12% monounsaturated fatty acids, >55% carbohydrates) with IMT-CC measurements at 5 and 7 years. We also analyzed the carotid plaque number and height. Results: The Mediterranean diet decreased IMT-CC at 5 years (−0.027±0.008 mm; P <0.001), maintained at 7 years (−0.031±0.008 mm; P <0.001), compared to baseline. The low-fat diet did not modify IMT-CC. IMT-CC and carotid plaque max height were higher decreased after the Mediterranean diet, compared to the low-fat diet, throughout follow-up. Baseline IMT-CC had the strongest association with the changes in IMT-CC after the dietary intervention. Conclusions: Long-term consumption of a Mediterranean diet rich in extravirgin olive oil, if compared to a low-fat diet, was associated with decreased atherosclerosis progression, as shown by reduced IMT-CC and carotid plaque height. These findings reinforce the clinical benefits of the Mediterranean diet in the context of secondary cardiovascular prevention. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov ; Unique identifier: NCT00924937.

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Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Chronic Disease in Australia: National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey Analysis

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12051251 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1251 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yasmine S. Aridi ◽

Jacqueline L. Walker ◽

Eugeni Roura ◽

Olivia R. L. Wright

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Diabetes Mellitus ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Chronic Disease ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Mediterranean Country ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Nutrition And Physical Activity ◽

Activity Survey

The Mediterranean diet (MD) is linked to decreased risk of chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cognitive disease. Given the health promoting aspects of this diet, we conducted a secondary analysis of data from the National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS), which is the largest health study in Australia and the first nutrition-specific national-based study. The primary aim of this analysis was to determine the proportion of Australian adults adhering to the MD and to examine the association between adherence to the MD and markers of noncommunicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease. Out of the 9435 participants included in the study (mean age = 48.6 ± 17.6 years), 65% were in the middle tertile of the MD score. Participants who were married, employed, of a high-socioeconomic level, nonsmokers, educated and had a healthy body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference were more likely to have higher adherence levels to the MD, which was associated with lower diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that, even after accounting for all possible confounders, higher adherence to the MD was associated with lower risk of dyslipidaemia, OR = 1.06 (1.01–1.10). In conclusion, this analysis is the first to assess adherence to the MD on a national level. Our results indicated that MD adherence may contribute to reducing the prevalence of dyslipidaemia, cerebrovascular disease and elevated blood pressure in a multi-ethnic, non-Mediterranean country.

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Pilot Study on the Impact of the Mediterranean Diet and Intermittent Fasting

Case Medical Research ◽

10.31525/ct1-nct04185948 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Intermittent Fasting ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Impact

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Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO): Quality, Safety, Authenticity, and Adulteration

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods10050995 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (5) ◽

pp. 995

Author(s):

Theodoros Varzakas

Keyword(s):

Food Intake ◽

Olive Oil ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Mediterranean Basin ◽

Virgin Olive Oil ◽

Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

The Mediterranean Basin

The prevention and bioactivity effects associated with the so-called “Mediterranean diet” make olive oil the most consumed edible fat in the food intake of the Mediterranean basin [...]

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The 3-Year Effect of the Mediterranean Diet Intervention on Inflammatory Biomarkers Related to Cardiovascular Disease

Biomedicines ◽

10.3390/biomedicines9080862 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 862

Author(s):

Mireia Urpi-Sarda ◽

Rosa Casas ◽

Emilio Sacanella ◽

Dolores Corella ◽

Cristina Andrés-Lacueva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Mediterranean Diet ◽

Virgin Olive Oil ◽

Extra Virgin Olive Oil ◽

Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽

Year Effect ◽

Tnf Α ◽

The Mediterranean ◽

Anti Inflammatory

The intervention with the Mediterranean diet (MD) pattern has evidenced short-term anti-inflammatory effects, but little is known about its long-term anti-inflammatory properties at molecular level. This study aims to investigate the 3-year effect of MD interventions compared to low-fat diet (LFD) on changes on inflammatory biomarkers related to atherosclerosis in a free-living population with a high-risk of cardiovascular disease (CD). Participants (n = 285) in the PREDIMED trial were randomly assigned into three intervention groups: MD with extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) or MD-Nuts, and a LFD. Fourteen plasma inflammatory biomarkers were determined by Luminex assays. An additional pilot study of gene expression (GE) was determined by RT-PCR in 35 participants. After 3 years, both MDs showed a significant reduction in the plasma levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, hs-CRP, MCP-1, MIP-1β, RANTES, and ENA78 (p < 0.05; all). The decreased levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α after MD significantly differed from those in the LFD (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed at the gene level after MD interventions, however, the GE of CXCR2 and CXCR3 tended to increase in the control LFD group (p = 0.09). This study supports the implementation of MD as a healthy long-term dietary pattern in the prevention of CD in populations at high cardiovascular risk.

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Potential impact of a modest reduction in salt intake on blood pressure, cardiovascular disease burden and premature mortality: a modelling study

Open Heart ◽

10.1136/openhrt-2018-000943 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000943 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Leopold Ndemnge Aminde ◽

Linda J Cobiac ◽

J Lennert Veerman

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Salt Intake ◽

Sodium Intake ◽

Premature Mortality ◽

Relative Reduction ◽

Life Years ◽

Potential Impact ◽

The Impact

ObjectiveTo assess the potential impact of reduction in salt intake on the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality in Cameroon.MethodsUsing a multicohort proportional multistate life table model with Markov process, we modelled the impact of WHO’s recommended 30% relative reduction in population-wide sodium intake on the CVD burden for Cameroonian adults alive in 2016. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted and used to quantify uncertainty.ResultsOver the lifetime, incidence is predicted to decrease by 5.2% (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 4.6 to 5.7) for ischaemic heart disease (IHD), 6.6% (95% UI 5.9 to 7.4) for haemorrhagic strokes, 4.8% (95% UI 4.2 to 5.4) for ischaemic strokes and 12.9% (95% UI 12.4 to 13.5) for hypertensive heart disease (HHD). Mortality over the lifetime is projected to reduce by 5.1% (95% UI 4.5 to 5.6) for IHD, by 6.9% (95% UI 6.1 to 7.7) for haemorrhagic stroke, by 4.5% (95% UI 4.0 to 5.1) for ischaemic stroke and by 13.3% (95% UI 12.9 to 13.7) for HHD. About 776 400 (95% UI 712 600 to 841 200) health-adjusted life years could be gained, and life expectancy might increase by 0.23 years and 0.20 years for men and women, respectively. A projected 16.8% change (reduction) between 2016 and 2030 in probability of premature mortality due to CVD would occur if population salt reduction recommended by WHO is attained.ConclusionAchieving the 30% reduction in sodium intake recommended by WHO could considerably decrease the burden of CVD. Targeting blood pressure via decreasing population salt intake could translate in significant reductions in premature CVD mortality in Cameroon by 2030.

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