Heart-healthy olive oil polyphenols

Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids (primarily oleic acid), which is less susceptible to oxidation than other types of fatty acids, and is an underlying reason for olive oil’s abundant health benefits.¹ A study found that the intake of two tablespoons of olive oil daily improved markers of cardiovascular health.²

And potent antioxidant compounds called polyphenols contribute many of olive oil’s beneficial effects.³ Hydroxytyrosol, for instance, is a polyphenol found in olive oil that has been shown to promote cardiovascular health.^4,5

Helps maintain already-healthy lipid levels

Olive oil helps maintain already-healthy levels of good HDL cholesterol.^6,7 And olive oil polyphenols may help prevent the oxidation of LDL, which in turn helps support and maintain blood vessel health.⁸

Promotes healthy endothelial function

Olive oil polyphenols support your cardiovascular system by helping to maintain endothelial cell health.^9,10 Endothelial cells are the delicate cells that line the inside of blood vessels. Plus, evidence indicates that olive oil polyphenols encourage healthy endothelial function after meals in people who have a hereditary gene variant that affects their endothelium.¹¹

Helps maintain already-healthy blood pressure

Research indicates that olive oil’s polyphenol content may affect blood pressure health as well.^12,13 In a one-year study, researchers found that increased extra virgin olive oil intake, as part of a Mediterranean diet, supported healthy blood pressure already within normal range.¹⁴