tuneTypical Dose
Standardized extracts providing oleuropein-rich polyphenols daily
Botanical
Olive Leaf Extract
Olea europaea leaf extract
Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
Blood-pressure and insulin-sensitivity effects are measured over weeks.
check_circleCompliance
WADA NOT PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Olive leaf extract has modest evidence for improving systolic blood pressure and possibly insulin sensitivity, but it is still a moderate-effect adjunct rather than a primary therapy.
Olive leaf extract is one of the cleaner cardiometabolic botanicals. Meta-analysis and controlled trials suggest modest reductions in systolic blood pressure and some improvement in insulin sensitivity. Those effects are real but not large, and some trials have product-manufacturer involvement, so the supplement should still be framed conservatively.
Olive leaf extract is mainly discussed for oleuropein-rich polyphenols that may modestly affect vascular tone, insulin action, and lipid metabolism.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- Modest reduction in systolic blood pressure
Secondary Outcomes
- Possible improvement in insulin sensitivity and triglycerides
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
No entries provided
Side effects
- Mild GI upset
Interactions
- Antihypertensive or glucose-lowering medication
Avoid if
- You are trying to replace prescribed blood-pressure care
Evidence
Study-level References
ole-SRC-001Systematic review and meta-analysis
Sourceopen_in_newAsbaghi O, et al. 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. Phytother Res. 2022. doi:10.1002/ptr.7738. PMID:36271405.
Population: Adults from randomized controlled olive-leaf-extract trials.
Dose protocol: Mixed olive-leaf-extract regimens across randomized trials
Key findings: Significant reductions in systolic blood pressure and triglycerides.
Notes: Best modern synthesis.
Paper content
This is the best modern high-level summary for olive leaf extract. It supports modest reductions in systolic blood pressure and triglycerides.
ole-SRC-002Randomized crossover trial
Sourceopen_in_newde Bock M, et al. Olive (Olea europaea L.) leaf polyphenols improve insulin sensitivity in middle-aged overweight men: a randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial. PLoS One. 2013. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057622. PMID:23516412.
Population: Middle-aged overweight men at risk of metabolic syndrome.
Dose protocol: 12-week crossover trial with polyphenol-rich olive leaf extract
Key findings: Improved insulin sensitivity and beta-cell responsiveness.
Notes: Best metabolic RCT.
Paper content
This is the clearest olive-leaf metabolic trial. It found improved insulin sensitivity in overweight middle-aged men after 12 weeks of supplementation.
ole-SRC-003Randomized crossover trial
Sourceopen_in_newLockyer S, et al. Impact of phenolic-rich olive leaf extract on blood pressure, plasma lipids and inflammatory markers. Eur J Nutr. 2017. doi:10.1007/s00394-016-1188-y. PMID:26951205.
Population: Prehypertensive men.
Dose protocol: 6-week phenolic-rich extract in prehypertensive men
Key findings: Modest reductions in ambulatory blood pressure and some lipid markers.
Notes: Best blood-pressure RCT.
Paper content
This is the clearest direct blood-pressure trial for olive leaf extract. It supports a modest hypotensive effect in prehypertensive men.
ole-SRC-004Multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_newLamti et al. Efficacy of olive leaf extracts in controlling blood pressure in hypertensive patients: a double-blind randomized clinical trial. J Hypertens. 2025. doi:10.1097/HJH.0000000000004141. PMID:40990594.
Population: Hypertensive patients.
Dose protocol: Olive leaf extract versus placebo for 12 weeks in 621 hypertensive patients.
Key findings: Reduced 24-hour SBP by 6.4 mmHg versus 1.5 mmHg with placebo. Improved lipids, glucose, CRP, and body weight.
Notes: Largest OLE blood pressure RCT to date. Substantially strengthens the evidence base.
Paper content
This is the largest RCT of olive leaf extract for blood pressure to date. 621 hypertensive patients were randomized to OLE or placebo for 12 weeks across multiple centers. OLE reduced 24-hour SBP by 6.4 mmHg compared to 1.5 mmHg with placebo, decreased SBP load from 54% to 42%, and reduced diastolic BP variability by 13%. Secondary improvements included lipid profile, blood glucose, triglycerides, CRP, and body weight. No significant adverse events were reported. This trial substantially strengthens the evidence base for olive leaf extract as a blood pressure adjunct, moving it from small-trial signal to well-powered confirmation.