Olive Oil and Heart Health: What Does the Evidence Actually Say?

Olive oil is often described as if one ingredient by itself prevents cardiovascular disease. The strongest evidence is more specific.

What PREDIMED showed PREDIMED enrolled adults in Spain at high cardiovascular risk. One group followed a Mediterranean dietary pattern supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil; another used mixed nuts; the control group received advice on a lower-fat diet. The Mediterranean-diet groups had fewer major cardiovascular events.

This was not a trial of olive oil alone versus placebo. The original report was later withdrawn and republished after irregularities in randomization procedures were identified; the reanalysis still supported benefit.

Everyday Lipid takeaway A Mediterranean dietary pattern that includes extra-virgin olive oil has strong evidence for cardiovascular benefit in high-risk adults. It is less accurate to say olive oil alone has been proven to reduce heart attacks by a fixed percentage.

Olive Oil and Heart Health: What Does the Evidence Actually Say?

Everyday Lipid takeaway A Mediterranean dietary pattern that includes extra-virgin olive oil has strong evidence for cardiovascular benefit in high-risk adults. It is less accurate to say olive oil alone has been proven to reduce heart attacks by a fixed percentage.

References - Estruch R et al. N Engl J Med. 2018;378:e34. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1800389.