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Supplement

Olive Leaf Extract

Olive leaf extract is a concentrate made from olive tree leaves, rich in plant compounds such as oleuropein that act as antioxidants in the body. The best-supported finding is for blood pressure, where studies found readings came down in people with high or borderline-high levels, and the evidence is moderate. That rests on just two studies with 188 people, and blood sugar results came from small studies with limited evidence.

Sources: PMID 18729245; PMID 38287654

Best evidence
Grade B
Conditions studied
5
Outcomes
28
Graded outcomes
0140

Evidence by condition

  • Strong
  • Moderate
  • Limited
  • Very limited

5 conditions

High Blood Pressure: outcomes studied for Olive Leaf Extract
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood Pressure

Moderate Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Moderate effect2 studies188 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes up)Small effect148 people
Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies1 study148 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)1 study148 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)148 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)148 people

Type 2 Diabetes: outcomes studied for Olive Leaf Extract
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
HbA1c

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect1 study79 people
InsulinChanges; see studies79 people

General Cardiovascular Health

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Total cholesterol: improves
General Cardiovascular Health: outcomes studied for Olive Leaf Extract
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect214 people
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies2,625 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)1 study272 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)272 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)272 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)200 people

Metabolic Syndrome

  • Blood glucose: improves
  • Blood Pressure: improves
  • Liver Enzymes: changes; see studies
Metabolic Syndrome: outcomes studied for Olive Leaf Extract
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood glucose

Small Improvement

Improves (the measure goes down)Small effect45 people
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies45 people
Liver EnzymesChanges; see studies1 study45 people
Total cholesterolImproves (the measure goes down)1 study45 people
Glycemic ControlImproves (the measure goes up)45 people
High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)45 people
IGF Binding ProteinImproves (the measure goes up)45 people
IGF-1Improves (the measure goes up)45 people
InflammationImproves (the measure goes down)45 people
InsulinChanges; see studies45 people
LDL OxidationImproves (the measure goes down)45 people
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)Improves (the measure goes down)45 people
TriglyceridesImproves (the measure goes down)45 people

High Cholesterol

  • Blood Pressure: improves
High Cholesterol: outcomes studied for Olive Leaf Extract
GradeOutcomeEffectSizeStudiesPeopleStudies list
Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)2 studies40 people

Key findings

  • Blood PressureHigh Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes down)
  • HbA1cType 2 DiabetesImproves (the measure goes down)
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL)High Blood PressureImproves (the measure goes up)

Shop the evidence-backed picks

Third-party tested Olive Leaf Extract products, in the forms the graded studies used where we can match them.

  • Grade B

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Studies cited

5 studies from PubMed

  1. Olive (Olea europaea) leaf extract effective in patients with stage-1 hypertension: comparison with CaptoprilPhytomedicine · PMID 21036583
  2. Food supplementation with an olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf extract reduces blood pressure in borderline hypertensive monozygotic twinsPhytother Res · PMID 18729245
  3. Olive (Olea europaea L.) Leaf Polyphenols Improve Insulin Sensitivity in Middle-Aged Overweight Men: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover TrialPLoS One · PMID 23516412
  4. Olive leaf extract as a hypoglycemic agent in both human diabetic subjects and in ratsJ Med Food · PMID 22512698
  5. Olive leaf extract effect on cardiometabolic risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Nutr Rev · PMID 38287654