American College of Cardiology : Cardiovascular health benefits associated with Mediterranean Diet



http://www.acc.org/media/releases/highlights/2005/nov05/phenolic.htm

ACC News Release

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November 15, 2005

Phenolic Compounds May Explain Mediterranean Diet Benefits
Blood vessels appear healthier after people consume olive oil high in
phenolic compounds

(BETHESDA, MD)-Phenolic compounds in olive oil, which have antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and anti-clotting properties, may explain cardiovascular
health benefits associated with the so-called Mediterranean Diet, according
to a new study in the Nov. 15, 2005, issue of the Journal of the American
College of Cardiology.

After fasting overnight, the participants reported to the hospital, where
they ate a breakfast of 60 grams of white bread with 40 milliliters of
virgin olive oil, a relatively high-fat meal. The meals also included
vitamin A supplementation. Over the next four hours, blood samples were
taken and the researchers used Doppler laser to measure endothelial
responses to sudden changes in blood flow, which were produced by inflating
and then deflating a blood pressure cuff.

"We think, looking at our results, that the reduction in oxidative stress
and the increase in the nitric oxide bioavailability are behind the observed
improvement in ischemic reactive hyperemia," Dr. Pérez Jiménez said.

Dr. Pérez Jiménez said that olive oil may be superior to seed oils because
it is a natural juice, pressed from the olives, so it does not go through
the type of processing needed to extract oil from seeds, such as sunflowers,
soybeans and rapeseeds

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