No abstract

Background Previous clinical studies have suggested that high polyphenol extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) provides a superior cardioprotective effect compared to low polyphenol olive oil. However, further studies are required to replicate these results in non‐Mediterranean populations. Aim To investigate the effect of high polyphenol EVOO versus low polyphenol olive oil with known polyphenol composition on markers of cardiovascular disease risk in a healthy non‐Mediterranean cohort. Methods In a double‐blind randomised cross‐over trial, the present study will examine the effect of high polyphenol EVOO versus low polyphenol olive oil in 50 healthy participants. Each intervention phase will be 3 weeks long with a 2‐week washout period between each phase. Outcomes to be assessed include HDL cholesterol efflux, oxidised LDL, blood lipids, C‐reactive protein, arterial stiffness, blood pressure and cognitive function. Dietary intake, physical activity levels and anthropometry will also be collected. Discussion Because of the rigorous trial design, novel and clinically relevant outcomes, the use of a well‐characterised EVOO, and, in contrast to the current literature, the non‐Mediterranean study population, the present study will provide a significant contribution to the understanding of the clinical importance of polyphenol intake in the Australian sociocultural context.

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) is suggested to be cardioprotective, partly due to its high phenolic content. We investigated the effect of extra virgin high polyphenol olive oil (HPOO) versus low polyphenol olive oil (LPOO) on blood pressure (BP) and arterial stiffness in healthy Australian adults. In a double-blind, randomized, controlled cross-over trial, 50 participants (age 38.5 ± 13.9 years, 66% female) were randomized to consume 60 mL/day of either HPOO (360 mg/kg polyphenols) or LPOO (86 mg/kg polyphenols) for three weeks. Following a two-week washout period, participants crossed over to consume the alternate oil. Anthropometric data, peripheral BP, central BP and arterial stiffness were measured at baseline and follow up. No significant differences were observed in the changes from baseline to follow up between the two treatments. However, a significant decrease in peripheral and central systolic BP (SBP) by 2.5 mmHg (95% CI: −4.7 to −0.3) and 2.7 mmHg (95% CI: −4.7 to −0.6), respectively, was observed after HPOO consumption. Neither olive oil changed diastolic BP (DBP) or measures of arterial stiffness. The reductions in SBP after HPOO consumption provide evidence for a potentially widely accessible dietary intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease in a multiethnic population. Longer intervention studies and/or higher doses of EVOO polyphenols are warranted to elucidate the potential effect on DBP and arterial stiffness.

Maternal overweight/obesity has been associated with an increased risk of obesity in childhood. We investigated the effect of maternal overweight/obesity during pre-pregnancy and whether it is a stronger predictor of child obesity, compared to maternal overweight/obesity during childhood. Prospective or retrospective cohort studies published in English, reporting on obese children and adolescents (2–18 years), with overweight/obese mothers in either pre-pregnancy or during childhood were included. A search was conducted from 2012 to April 2022 in MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, and EMBASE, followed by screening, data extraction, quality assessment and narrative synthesis. Eleven eligible studies (9 prospective and 2 retrospective cohort studies; total sample, n = 27,505) were identified. Eight studies examined maternal overweight/obesity in pre-conception, presenting consistent positive associations with childhood obesity, three reported positive associations between childhood obesity and maternal overweight/obesity during childhood, and one presented positive associations between both maternal exposures. The narrative synthesis failed to identify which maternal exposure is the strongest predictor of childhood obesity, with studies reporting significant associations between maternal overweight/obesity and child obesity in both time points. Intervention programs aiming to reduce childhood obesity should focus on supporting women of childbearing age with weight management from preconception and throughout their life-course.

No abstract