Olive oil lowers blood pressure
NAPLES, ITALY. Several studies have shown that replacing saturated fat with unsaturated fat in the diet can help lower blood pressure in hypertensive individuals. Research has shown that some unsaturated fats (oils) are more effective in lowering blood pressure than others. Fish oils containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for example, have been found quite effective in lowering both blood pressure and triglyceride levels. Now researchers at the University of Naples report that olive oil is also highly effective in lowering blood pressure.
Their one-year study involved 23 men and women with mild hypertension (systolic pressure less than 165 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 104 mm Hg at the start of the study). The participants were randomized into two groups. One group was told to add olive oil to their food after cooking while the other group was told to add sunflower oil (a rich source of linoleic acid). Men added 40 grams/day (approx. four spoonfuls) and women added 30 grams/day (approx. three spoonfuls) to arrive at a diet containing 8368 kJ and 6276 kJ respectively. The overall composition of the diet was 17 per cent protein, 57 per cent carbohydrates, and 26 per cent fat.
The participants' blood pressures were measured every two months. After six months the average systolic blood pressure in the olive oil group had dropped to 127 mm Hg from the 134 mm Hg recorded at the start and the diastolic pressure had dropped from 90 mm Hg to 84 mm Hg. There were no significant changes in the sunflower oil group.
The level of antihypertensive medication was adjusted during the experiment by a separate group of doctors who did not know which diet their patients were following. The ones in the olive oil group were able to reduce their medication use by an average 48 per cent and eight of them were able to discontinue their medications completely. None of the ones in the sunflower oil group were able to discontinue their medications and the average reduction in medication usage was only 4 per cent.
The researchers conclude that a reduction in saturated fat intake combined with the increased use of extra-virgin olive oil lowers the need for antihypertensive medication. They speculate that the high content of polyphenols in olive oil may be a major factor in its beneficial effects.
Ferrara, L. Aldo, et al. Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 160, March 27, 2000, pp. 837-42
Their one-year study involved 23 men and women with mild hypertension (systolic pressure less than 165 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 104 mm Hg at the start of the study). The participants were randomized into two groups. One group was told to add olive oil to their food after cooking while the other group was told to add sunflower oil (a rich source of linoleic acid). Men added 40 grams/day (approx. four spoonfuls) and women added 30 grams/day (approx. three spoonfuls) to arrive at a diet containing 8368 kJ and 6276 kJ respectively. The overall composition of the diet was 17 per cent protein, 57 per cent carbohydrates, and 26 per cent fat.
The participants' blood pressures were measured every two months. After six months the average systolic blood pressure in the olive oil group had dropped to 127 mm Hg from the 134 mm Hg recorded at the start and the diastolic pressure had dropped from 90 mm Hg to 84 mm Hg. There were no significant changes in the sunflower oil group.
The level of antihypertensive medication was adjusted during the experiment by a separate group of doctors who did not know which diet their patients were following. The ones in the olive oil group were able to reduce their medication use by an average 48 per cent and eight of them were able to discontinue their medications completely. None of the ones in the sunflower oil group were able to discontinue their medications and the average reduction in medication usage was only 4 per cent.
The researchers conclude that a reduction in saturated fat intake combined with the increased use of extra-virgin olive oil lowers the need for antihypertensive medication. They speculate that the high content of polyphenols in olive oil may be a major factor in its beneficial effects.
Ferrara, L. Aldo, et al. Olive oil and reduced need for antihypertensive medications. Archives of Internal Medicine, Vol. 160, March 27, 2000, pp. 837-42
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