Olive oil polyphenols decrease blood pressure and improve endothelial function in young women with mild hypertension

Am J Hypertens. 2012 Dec;25(12):1299-304. doi: 10.1038/ajh.2012.128. Epub 2012 Aug 23.

Abstract

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, randomized, 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.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Blood Pressure*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated / administration & dosage*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Endothelium, Vascular / metabolism
  • Endothelium, Vascular / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Forearm / blood supply*
  • Humans
  • Hyperemia / physiopathology
  • Hypertension / blood
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Hypertension / diet therapy*
  • Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Inflammation Mediators / blood
  • Olive Oil
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Plant Oils / administration & dosage*
  • Polyphenols / administration & dosage*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Sex Factors
  • Spain
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Dietary Fats, Unsaturated
  • Inflammation Mediators
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Polyphenols