Olive Leaf Extract for Elevated Blood Pressure

Olive leaf extract standardised to oleuropein lowered systolic pressure by 3 to 11 mmHg in a small number of short trials, with the largest effect in the most-cited and least generalisable study.

Overview

Olive leaf extract standardised to oleuropein lowered systolic pressure by 3 to 11 mmHg in a small number of short trials, with the largest effect in the most-cited and least generalisable study.

Verdict

Mixed evidence

A plausible adjunct for borderline hypertension alongside diet change, but the evidence base is thin and the headline result comes from a twin study of 20 pairs.

How It Works

Oleuropein and its metabolite hydroxytyrosol improve endothelial nitric oxide availability, reduce LDL oxidation and weakly inhibit ACE, together producing modest vasodilation.

Dosing & Protocol

Typical dose

Recommended dose: 500 mg olive leaf extract twice daily, standardised to 16-20% oleuropein
Expected timeframe: 6-8 weeks

Protocol

form: 16-20% oleuropein standardisation
duration: 8 weeks before assessing
monitoring: Home blood pressure log, twice daily
starting dose: 500 mg standardised extract twice daily

Evidence

What the studies say

The 2011 Perrinjaquet-Moccetti twin study randomised 20 monozygotic pairs with borderline hypertension to 500 mg or 1000 mg olive leaf extract daily for eight weeks; the higher dose lowered systolic pressure by about 11 mmHg and improved LDL. A separate randomised trial compared 500 mg twice daily with captopril 12.5 mg twice daily over eight weeks in 232 patients with stage 1 hypertension and found comparable systolic reductions, though the trial had methodological limits. Smaller later studies report 3 to 5 mmHg. No long-term or outcome data exist, and total randomised participants across all trials number in the low hundreds.

The effect of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular health markers: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial

Score: 7/10

2021

rct

n=77

Stevens Y, Winkens B, Jonkers D +1 more

Olive leaf extract did not improve blood pressure, arterial stiffness or lipids versus placebo in healthy adults.

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Antihypertensive and antihyperlipidemic effects of olive leaf extract in stage-1 hypertension: a randomized, double-blind, comparison with captopril

Score: 6/10

2011

rct

n=232

Susalit E, Agus N, Effendi I

Olive leaf extract lowered blood pressure comparably to captopril over eight weeks in stage-1 hypertension.

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Effect of olive leaf extract supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Score: 7/10

2022

meta_analysis

Ahmadi A, Jamialahmadi T, Sahebkar A

Pooled trials showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure with olive leaf extract.

View source

Safety

Caveats

The 11 mmHg figure comes from 20 twin pairs and should not be treated as the expected effect. Products vary widely in oleuropein content, and low-percentage leaf powders are unlikely to reproduce trial results. Additive hypotension is possible with antihypertensive drugs.

Less likely to help if

People with normal baseline blood pressure, and those already well controlled on medication, see little change.

Medical Disclaimer

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Individual results may vary. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and information are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.