What are the effects of a phenolic-rich olive leaf extract (OLE) on blood pressure and associated vascular and metabolic measures in pre-hypertensive males?
Olive Leaf Extract, a randomized crossover trial (Eur J Nutr 2016, PMID 26951205) — compared to the control, OLE intake significantly lowered daytime SBP by 3.95 mmHg, 24-h SBP by 3.33 mmHg, daytime DBP by 3.00 mmHg, and 24-h DBP by 2.42 mmHg. Scope: over 6 weeks, and the abstract states no limitations.
Source: Eur J Nutr 2016, PMID 26951205 ↗ · Research map · How Magellan grades evidence · evidence confidence: medium
Eur J Nutr · 2016 · PMID 26951205 · DOI 10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y
Olive leaf extract may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol in pre-hypertensive men.
The question
What are the effects of a phenolic-rich olive leaf extract (OLE) on blood pressure and associated vascular and metabolic measures in pre-hypertensive males?
What they tested
The study hypothesized that a phenolic-rich olive leaf extract would favorably modify cardiovascular risk markers such as blood pressure, endothelial function, and plasma lipids.
How they did it
This was a randomized, double-blind, controlled, crossover trial involving 60 pre-hypertensive males. Participants consumed either OLE (136 mg oleuropein; 6 mg hydroxytyrosol) or a polyphenol-free control daily for 6 weeks, followed by a 4-week washout period before switching to the alternate arm.
What they found
Compared to the control, OLE intake significantly lowered daytime SBP by 3.95 mmHg, 24-h SBP by 3.33 mmHg, daytime DBP by 3.00 mmHg, and 24-h DBP by 2.42 mmHg. OLE also reduced plasma total cholesterol by 0.32 mmol/L, LDL cholesterol by 0.19 mmol/L, triglycerides by 0.18 mmol/L, and interleukin-8 by 0.63 pg/ml. Other markers of inflammation, vascular function, and glucose metabolism were not affected.
| Daytime SBP Reduction | 3.95 | |
|---|---|---|
| 24-h SBP Reduction | 3.33 | |
| Daytime DBP Reduction | 3 | |
| 24-h DBP Reduction | 2.42 | |
| Total Cholesterol Reduction | 0.32 | |
| LDL Cholesterol Reduction | 0.19 | |
| Triglycerides Reduction | 0.18 | |
| Interleukin-8 Reduction | 0.63 |
Reductions in blood pressure, lipids, and interleukin-8 observed after olive leaf extract intake compared to control.
What it means
The study concluded that olive leaf extract intake has hypotensive and lipid-lowering effects in pre-hypertensive males, supporting previous research.
Limitations
The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study.
Where the published abstract does not list limitations, we say so rather than inventing them. Read the full paper on PubMed before drawing conclusions.
The paper at a glance
| Magellan’s evidence label | oleuropein lowers BP and LDL (our label for this citation — see PubMed for the paper’s own title and authors) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Eur J Nutr |
| Year | 2016 |
| PMID | 26951205 ↗ |
| DOI | 10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y ↗ |
| Topic | Cardiovascular & vascular aging |
Read the source: PubMed record (authors, abstract, full citation) ↗ · Publisher via doi.org ↗
Where Magellan uses this paper
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Olive Leaf Extract (Oleuropein)
In human trials, standardized olive leaf extract has most consistently produced modest reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with prehypertension or hypertension, and several trials and meta-analyses also report small decreases in total and LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Olive leaf extract (OLE) is a botanical preparation derived from the leaves of the olive tree (Olea…
Research describes the compound or intervention studied. It is not a claim about any specific product.
Molecules & mechanisms in this paper
Each of these is named in the paper’s own words above. Open the monograph for the full mechanism and its other citations.
Cite this page
These citations point at this summary. To cite the original paper with its full author list, use the PubMed record or doi.org.
Magellan Longevity. (2026). What are the effects of a phenolic-rich olive leaf extract (OLE) on blood pressure and associated vascular and metabolic measures in pre-hypertensive males? [Plain-English summary of Eur J Nutr 2016, PMID 26951205, DOI 10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y]. Magellan Longevity. https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s109.html@misc{magellan_s109,
title = {What are the effects of a phenolic-rich olive leaf extract (OLE) on blood pressure and associated vascular and metabolic measures in pre-hypertensive males?},
author = {{Magellan Longevity}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s109.html}},
note = {Plain-English summary of PubMed PMID 26951205; DOI 10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y; Eur J Nutr 2016. Reviewed by Gabriel Radu, DO},
urldate = {2026-08-11}
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