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The Connection Between Olive Oil and Blood Pressure

Heart disease is currently the leading cause of death in the world. Why? Owing to hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, and numerous other factors, more and more people are suffering from heart disease today. But - apart from chronic medications, what other preventative measures can we take to reduce the likelihood or severity of high blood pressure, cholesterol, and other causes?

Blood pressure causes

The polyphenols found in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) are the answer you’re looking for. While these won’t prevent or cure hypertension, they can certainly assist in reducing it. Extra virgin olive oils themselves don’t contain these health benefits, but rather, they contain phenolic components within them. That’s why is so important to purchase EVOOs that are high in polyphenols, otherwise, you are simply using olive oil.

“The health benefits of olive oil are 99% related to the presence of the phenolic components, not the oil itself.” – Nasir Malik, Research Plant Physiologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service.

Hypertension is regarded as a “silent killer,” seeing as it causes damage often without us even noticing (until our health situation becomes dire).

What is blood pressure

What are polyphenols, and how can they benefit hypertension?

Polyphenols are secondary metabolites naturally found in olive oil. Studies show that these olive phenols have major antioxidative properties, meaning they are really good for arterial health.

These are great scientific reasons, but what does it actually mean? In other words, studies show that polyphenols found in olives can increase the availability of the healthy molecules.

How much polyphenols should I consume per day?

It all depends on how well your body absorbs nutrients. According to Meg Hagar, MS, RD, the average human should aim to get at least 650 milligrams of polyphenols a day. Polyphenols aren’t just great for arterial health, though. There are numerous other health benefits linked to polyphenols, which include anti-ageing.

Recent studies have also shown a number of benefits in terms of medication. Just so we’re clear, this does not mean you should stop your meds or that polyphenols cure heart disease. It is simply an indication of how beneficial polyphenols are, and why you should incorporate them into your diet – specifically through extra virgin olive oils.

“The most important finding in this study is that the daily use of olive oil, about 40 grams per day, markedly reduces the dosage of blood pressure medication by about 50% in hypertensive patients on a previously stable drug dosage”. – L. Aldo Ferrara, MD, Associate Professor of Internal Medicine at the Frederico University (Naples).

Scientists go as far as to say that studies show people suffering from high blood pressure can reduce their medication dosages by simply consuming more phenol-rich foods – specifically extra virgin olive oil. According to Archives of Internal Medicine, extra virgin olive oil can help lower blood pressure readings - and that people using medication might be able to reduce the amount of medicine they take. This is because polyphenols reduce nitric acid.

High phenolic olive oil and blood pressure

In other words, simply replacing other fats in your diet with phenol-rich olive oils can reduce your high blood pressure reading.

How do I know if I’m getting enough polyphenols each day?

Well, you can’t very well count each polyphenol, but you can modify your diet with phenol-rich foods. These include cherries, strawberries, red grapes, artichokes, and extra virgin olive oil - among other foods. Furthermore, it’s also critical to ensure you purchase the correct olive oils containing enough polyphenols. These alone may help to reduce hypertension and can even improve general overall health.

In other words, try to follow a Mediterranean diet to help reduce high blood pressure. Further studies indicate that olive oil and green veggies are especially beneficial when consumed together. Moreover, phenol-rich olive oil has been shown to enhance the absorption of carotenoids among other fat-soluble vitamins.

It’s safe to say that eating a green salad a day should help keep the cardiologist away!

It’s important to note that it is not the olive oil itself providing the health benefits, but rather, the compounds found within. Where other oils have the potential to worsen hypertension, olive oil can actually benefit it.

In a world plagued by unhealthy foods and fats, it’s important to incorporate the healthiest possible ingredients to your diet. You don’t have to drink gallons of olive oil, though. Simply drink 12ml, or a tablespoon, a day, to absorb all the high-density phenolic compounds. Add some to your salad, and/or cook with it for dinner.

The secret lies in how the olives are refined and pressed. The fact that it tastes better than sunflower oil is an added bonus. By following a healthy diet and lowering your high blood pressure, as soon as possible, you may just save your life.

If you’re wondering which extra virgin olive oil contains the phenols you need to boost your overall well-being, HYPERELEON is your golden ticket.

Buy HYPERELEON now!