Extra virgin olive oil and heart disease risk
What it found
In people, extra virgin olive oil was linked to lower heart disease risk and improved markers of inflammation, blood vessel function and cholesterol.
The authors say its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory parts may help.
What they found
Studies in people
Heart events and death
An observational study found that each extra 10 g per day of extra virgin olive oil was linked to a 10% lower risk of heart events. Regular olive oil was not linked to lower risk.
Blood pressure and vessel function
Long-term studies in people at high risk found that extra virgin olive oil lowered systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improved flow-mediated dilatation, a measure of blood vessel function.
Inflammation markers
After a year or more, people eating a Mediterranean diet with extra virgin olive oil had lower levels of inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein, IL-6 and adhesion molecules. A two-month study found a helpful trend but the difference between groups was not significant.
Cholesterol and oxidation
In people at high risk, virgin olive oil reduced oxidized LDL and improved HDL function. In a 21-day study, corn oil improved cholesterol numbers more than extra virgin olive oil.
Blood sugar and insulin
A Mediterranean meal with extra virgin olive oil lowered post-meal blood sugar and LDL cholesterol and raised insulin in healthy people. In a two-year study of people with metabolic syndrome, fasting glucose and insulin dropped.
Minor compounds vs fatty acids
When extra virgin olive oil was compared with regular olive oil, the extra virgin type protected LDL from oxidation more and reduced post-meal clotting markers. This suggests the minor compounds, not just the fats, are important.
What the authors conclude
- They conclude that extra virgin olive oil intake is associated with a beneficial impact on cardiovascular diseases.
- They state that extra virgin olive oil acts as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vasodilatory nutrient that may help lower the build-up of plaque in arteries.
- They say that a Mediterranean-style diet with extra virgin olive oil is a possible strategy to treat metabolic syndrome and reduce related heart risk.
How it was done
The authors wanted to understand how extra virgin olive oil might protect against heart disease, since it is the main fat in the Mediterranean diet and that diet is linked to fewer heart problems.
They reviewed studies that gave extra virgin olive oil to healthy people and to people at risk of heart disease. The studies lasted from a few hours to several years and looked at markers like blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar and inflammation.
What it can’t tell you
- Many of the studies followed people over time or observed them, so they can show links but not prove that extra virgin olive oil directly causes the benefits.
- The review includes studies with different amounts of olive oil, different lengths of time and different comparison groups, so the results cannot be combined into one clear dose.
- Some benefits were seen only in long-term studies, so short-term use may not show the same effects.
Who paid
- Authors work at
- Sapienza University of Rome, Italy
The paper
- Title
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Diseases: Benefits for Human Health
- Type
- ReviewThe authors read earlier studies and describe what they found. It isn’t a new study.
- Evidence
- Studies in people
- Summarised from
- Full text
- Cite
- Nocella C, Cammisotto V, Fianchini L, et al (2018). Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Cardiovascular Diseases: Benefits for Human Health. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets. doi:10.2174/1871530317666171114121533Free full textPubMed 29141571DOI
Summary written 26 Sep 2026. Check it against the paper before it changes what you eat. How we summarise papers · Report an error