The effects of olive leaf extract on cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Study answer

What this study found

Olive leaf extract produced modest but favorable effects on blood pressure and lipid measures, with the clearest benefits seen in participants with hypertension and in normal-weight subgroups. Compared with placebo, triglycerides decreased by -9.51 mg/dl (95% CI -17.83 to -1.18; P = 0.025) and systolic blood pressure decreased by -3.86 mmHg (95% CI -6.44 to -1.28; P = 0.003). In hypertensive subgroups, effects were larger for TG (-14.42 mg/dl), TC (-9.14 mg/dl), LDL-C (-4.6 mg/dl), and SBP (-4.81 mmHg); in normal-weight subgroups, TC (-6.69 mg/dl), TG (-9.21 mg/dl), and SBP (-7.05 mmHg)…

Study & population

Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in adults from the general population, including participants with hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, or type 2 diabetes.

Intervention

Olive leaf extract was given orally, most often as tablets or capsules, with two studies using liquids or beverages.

Key limitation

The evidence base was limited by low-to-very low certainty for several outcomes, heterogeneity in some pooled analyses, and substantial variation in OLE formulation, dose, and duration across studies.

View full study detailsView sourceOpen PDF

Original abstract