There is a well-known connection between olive oil, the Mediterranean and health. This article collects the most recent research related to olive oil, the Mediterranean diet and heart health, so that you can review the current science in this space. There is an abundance of evidence which reviews the effect of the Mediterranean Diet and Extra Virgin Olive Oil on Heart Health. In the following, we summarise some of the most recent publications – a link has been provided to access or view the full publication.
Each study has been divided into three sections below: Study Title and Citation, Study aim & Major findings.
Study Title and Citation
The effect of high-polyphenol Extra Virgin Olive Oil on cardiovascular risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
George ES, Marshall S, Mayr HL, et al. The effect of high-polyphenol Extra Virgin Olive Oil on cardiovascular risk factors: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2018. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2018.147049
Study aim
This systematic review and meta-analyses evaluated the effect of high versus low polyphenol oil on cardiovascular disease risk profiles in clinical trials.
Major findings
High polyphenol oils confer some CVD-risk reduction benefits; however, further studies with longer duration and in non-Mediterranean populations are required.
Study Title and Citation
Extra Virgin Olive Oil and cardiovascular diseases: Benefits for human health
Nocella C, Cammisotto V, Fianchini L, et al. Extra Virgin Olive Oil and cardiovascular diseases: benefits for human health. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2018;18(1):4–13.
http://www.eurekaselect.com/157144/article
Study aim
Review article.
To highlight the role of Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the atherosclerosis pathophysiology and its putative beneficial effects in the setting of cardiovascular disease.
Major findings
The studies reviewed in this paper demonstrated the role of Extra Virgin Olive Oil as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and vasodilatory nutrient that may contribute to lower the atherosclerotic burden.
Study Title and Citation
The Mediterranean Diet decreases LDL atherogenicity in high cardiovascular risk individuals: a randomized controlled trial
Hernaez A, Castaner O, Goday A, et al. The Mediterranean Diet decreases LDL atherogenicity in high cardiovascular risk individuals: a randomized controlled trial. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017;61(9): doi: 10.1002/mnfr.201601015.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201601015
Study aim
This randomized controlled trial assessed a 1-year intervention with a Traditional Mediterranean Diet on LDL atherogenic traits (resistance against oxidation, size, composition, cytotoxicity).
Major findings
Adherence to a Traditional Mediterranean Diet (in particular one enriched with Extra Virgin Olive Oil) decreased LDL atherogenicity in high cardiovascular risk individuals.
Study Title and Citation
Cardioprotective effects of the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol from olive oil
Tejada S, Pinya S, Del Mar Bibloni M, et al. Cardioprotective effects of the polyphenol hydroxytyrosol from olive oil. Curr Drug Targets. 2017;18(13):1477–86.
http://www.eurekaselect.com/146049/article
Study aim
Review article.
To review the available literature on the effects of hydroxytyrosol as a cardioprotective agent.
Major findings
Olive oil derived hydroxytyrosol has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation and anti-atherogenic activities in invitro and animal models. Further clinical trials in humans would further assess the therapeutic effects.
Study Title and Citation
Tomato sauce enriched with olive oil exerts greater effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors than raw tomato and tomato sauce: A randomized trial.
Valderas-Martinez P, Cliva-Blanch G, Casas R, et al. Tomato sauce enriched with olive oil exerts greater effects on cardiovascular disease risk factors than raw tomato and tomato sauce: A randomized trial. Nutrients. 2016;8(3):170.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808898/
Study aim
The aim of this randomized trial was to test the postprandial effects of a single dose of raw tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato sauce with refined olive oil (TSOO) on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Major findings
Results showed that intake of tomatoes and tomato sauces, particularly tomato sauce enriched with refined olive oil, may regulate the lipid profile and soluble inflammatory biomarkers related to the onset and progression of atherosclerosis.
Study Title and Citation
The association of Mediterranean and DASH diets with mortality in adults on hemodialysis: The DIET-HD multinational cohort study.
Saglimbene V, Wong G, Craig J, et al. The association of Mediterranean and DASH diets with mortality in adults on hemodialysis: The DIET-HD multinational cohort study. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2018;29(6):1741–51.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29695436
Study aim
This cohort study assessed the benefits of a Mediterranean and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diets for cardiovascular and all-mortality risk in patients on hemodialysis.
Major findings
Mediterranean and DASH diets were not associated with a lower cardiovascular or all-cause mortality in patients on hemodialysis.
Study Title and Citation
The Mediterranean diet, optimal against cardiovascular disease but adopted by few survivors of an ischemic coronary event in a Mediterranean country.
Ros E. The Mediterranean diet, optimal against cardiovascular disease but adopted by few survivors of an ischemic coronary event in a Mediterranean country. 2018;218(5):241–3.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29857805
Study aim
Editorial article.
Dietary approaches to the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease is a cost-effective option, compared with medication and medical procedures. This editorial suggests that a greater public health effort is needed to promote the knowledge related to the benefits of cardioprotective eating patterns such as the Mediterranean diet, to help reduce the chronic disease burden.
Study Title and Citation
Dietary inflammatory index or Mediterranean diet score as risk factors for total and cardiovascular mortality.
Hodge A, Bassett J, Dugue P, et al. Dietary inflammatory index or Mediterranean diet score as risk factors for total and cardiovascular mortality. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2018;28(5):461–9.
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0939-4753(18)30027-9
Study aim
This prospective cohort study aimed to examine associations of the Dietary Inflammatory Index and the Mediterranean Diet Score with total, cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease mortality in the Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study; and compare the strengths of the associations.
Major findings
The Mediterranean Diet Index and the Dietary Inflammatory Index show similar associations with total and cardiovascular mortality, consistent with the consensus that plant-based diets are beneficial for health.
Study Title and Citation
Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease prevention: What do we know?
Salas-Salvado J, Becerra-Tomas N, Garcia-Gavilan J, et al. Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease prevention: What do we know? Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 2018: doi: 10.1016/j.pcad.2018.04.006. [Epub ahead of print].
https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0033-0620(18)30074-4
Study aim
Review article.
This review article aimed to summarize and discuss the evidence from meta-analyses of epidemiological and clinical trials analyzing Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular disease risk.
Major findings
Reviewed studies demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet has beneficial effects in the prevention of total and specific types of cardiovascular disease. However, as a moderate-high degree of inconsistency has been reported, more high-quality prospective cohorts and randomized clinical trials are warranted in order to increase the confidence in the effect estimates.
Study Title and Citation
The antioxidant potential of the Mediterranean diet in patients at high cardiovascular risk: an in-depth review of the PREDIMED.
Billingsley H, Carbone S. The antioxidant potential of the Mediterranean diet in patients at high cardiovascular risk: an in-depth review of the PREDIMED. Nutr Diabetes. 2018;8:13: doi: 10.1038/s41387-018-0025-1
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5856841/
Study aim
Review article.
This review article summarises the potential benefits of polyphenols found in the Mediterranean diet, specifically the PREDIMED cohort. Specifically it addresses the ability of dietary polyphenols and vitamin antioxidants on altering oxidative stress, and clinical outcomes.
Major findings
The high polyphenol content of the Mediterranean diet may explain (at least in part) the beneficial effects reported in the PREDIMED. Studies presented have limitations, and further studies are needed to determine the tole of poylphenols in the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic disease, especially in non-Mediterranean countries.
Study Title and Citation
A qualitative analysis exploring preferred methods of peer support to encourage adherence to a Mediterranean diet in a Northern European population at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
Erwin C, McEvoy C, Moore S, et al. A qualitative analysis exploring preferred methods of peer support to encourage adherence to a Mediterranean diet in a Northern European population at high risk of cardiovascular disease. BMC Pub Health. 2018;18(1):213.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5800279/
Study aim
This qualitative analysis used mixed-methods to determine the preferred peer support approach to encourage adherence to a Mediterranean diet.
Major findings
A group-based approach was the preferred method of peer support to encourage a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease to adhere to a Mediterranean diet.
Study Title and Citation
Mediterranean diet impact on cardiovascular diseases: a narrative review.
Mattioli A, Palmiero P, Manfrini O, et al. Mediterranean diet impact on cardiovascular diseases: a narrative review. J Cardiovasc Med. 2017;18(12):925–35.
https://insights.ovid.com/pubmed?pmid=28914660
Study aim
Review article.
This narrative review article aims to analyse the effects of the Mediterranean diet on cardiovascular disease.
Study Title and Citation
Mediterranean diet and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomised trials
Dinu M, Pagliai G, Casini A et al. Mediterranean diet and multiple health outcomes: an umbrella review of meta-analyses of observational studies and randomised trials. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2017;27(1):doi:10.1038/ejcn.2017.58.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2017.58
Study aim
Review article.
This review article was performed to summarise the evidence and evaluate the validity of the association between the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and multiple health outcomes.
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