Helps lower blood pressure

Olive oil is a monounsaturated fat; the healthiest type of fat; it reduces bad LDL cholesterol levels without affecting the good HDL cholesterol in your body.

Olive oil also conatins polyphenols, which act as antioxidants and are largely responsible for olive oil's anti-hypertensive qualities. 10 grams of extra virgin olive oil contains as much as 5 mg of polyphenols. Some other oils don't even contain any polyphenols.

Both polyphenols and monounsaturated fat keep LDL cholesterol from becoming oxidised and building up plaque deposits in the arteries.It is easier to regulate high blood pressure once cholesterol and heart disease risk are under control.

Some high blood pressure or hypertensive patients found that eating a low fat diet while using olive oil reduced their need for blood pressure medications by half. As little as 40 grams of olive oil a day or 4 tbsp. was all it took.

Always consult your doctor before changing the amount of any medications that you are taking.