Olive Oil ingredient May Improve Circulation
(Reuters Health, 11/28/05)

Dr. Francisco Perez Jimenez of the Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia in Cordoba, and team, had 21 people with high cholesterol ingest either phenol-rich olive oil or olive oil with most phenol removed. The investigators assessed how well the subjects’ blood vessels responded to changes in blood flow after a high-fat meal containing either type of oil. The team found that vessel response improved for four hours after the high-phenol meal, but showed no such effect for those eating the low-phenol meal. In addition, the researchers noted greater amounts of the vessel-dilating nitric oxide molecule and reduced levels of oxidative stress after the high-phenol meal. The scientists speculate that the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and blood clot preventing powers of the phenols found in foods like extra virgin olive oil, may improve cardiovascular health.

(Journal of the American College of Cardiology, November 15 2005)