The Mediterranean diet and olive oil reduce arterial blood pressure, according to a study published in the October issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ( 80, 4:1012-1018, 2004) (www.ajcn.org).
At baseline, participants in the Greek arm of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study were assessed for clinical variables including arterial blood pressure; various sociodemographic, anthropometric, dietary factors; physical activity; and a 10-point score measuring adherence to the Mediterranean diet and consumption of olive oil.
A significant inverse association was found between the Mediterranean diet score and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Intakes of olive oil, vegetables and fruit showed a considerable inverse relationship with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, whereas cereals, meat and meat products, and ethanol intake were positively associated with arterial blood pressure. It was determined that olive oil had the most beneficial effect on arterial blood pressure in this population.
The researchers concluded adherence to the Mediterranean diet is inversely associated with arterial blood pressure, although cereal intake--a component of the Mediterranean diet--is positively associated with arterial blood pressure; and olive oil intake is inversely associated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
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