Olive Oil and Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

Research synthesisLow evidenceSmall effect3 studies · 1 beneficial · 2 neutral · 0 harmful

Across 3 studies, 1 reported a small beneficial effect of extra virgin olive oil on reducing C-reactive protein levels, while 2 found neutral results. The median study duration was 56 days (8 weeks). Evidence is limited and preliminary, with the sole beneficial finding coming from a meta-analysis of 1138 participants, whereas smaller meta-analyses and RCTs showed no significant effect.

Studied populations: clinical populations (hypertensive, prehypertensive, and hypercholesterolemic adults)

Caveats: Evidence base is small (only 3 studies) — conclusions should be considered preliminary. Many of the included studies did not reach statistical significance — effect may be smaller than the predominant direction suggests. Additionally, dosing information was inconsistently reported, and the only study showing a significant benefit involved extra virgin olive oil, which may not generalize to other forms of olive oil.

Generated Jul 18, 2026

Time to effect

Median: 8 weeks · IQR 8 weeks–8 weeks · Range 8 weeks–8 weeks — Reported in 1 of 3 studies

3 of 3 papersPopulation:

Effects of daily extra virgin olive oil consumption on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
- 2025-08
- Meta-Analysis · n = 1,138
- Critical reviews in food science and nutrition 66(2)
- - Jéssica Vidal Damasceno
  - Anderson Garcez
  - Andressa Anelo Alves
  - Isabella Rosa da Mata
  - Simone Morelo Dal Bosco
  - Juliano Garavaglia
- PubMed: 40749711
- DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2025.2525446
2 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
CRP was also reduced compared to low PC olive oils: -0.99 mg/l [(95%CI: -1.66 to -0.31); I²: 68.8%; p = 0.00)]
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Significant
Yes
Supplementation of Olive Oil and Flaxseed Oil on Blood Pressure and Inflammation in Healthy and At-Risk Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.
- 2025-01
- Meta-Analysis · n = 17
- Current hypertension reviews 20(3)
- - Tara B McNabb
  - Ian Young
  - Rachel G Newman
  - Roy C Skinner
  - Vagner A Benedito
  - Janet C Tou
- PubMed: 39558500
- DOI: 10.2174/0115734021337760241104063418
5 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
Meta-analysis using a random-effects model reported no significant effect on inflammatory markers, CRP (n=8, MD 0.11; 95% CI: -1.18, 0.40; p=0.98, I² =0%)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
No Observed Difference in Inflammatory and Coagulation Markers Following Diets Rich in n-6 Polyunsaturated Fat vs Monounsaturated Fat in Adults With Untreated Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Trial.
- 2024-02
- RCT
- Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 124(2)
- - M Catherine Prater
  - Alexis R Scheurell
  - Chad M Paton
  - Jamie A Cooper
- PubMed: 37619782
- DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.08.127
5 Insights on
- Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
- High evidence
- Clinical
There were no significant differences in fasting C-reactive protein (P = 0.70)
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Significant
No
Dose
30% of energy needs from olive oil for 8 weeks

Olive Oil and Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

Effects of daily extra virgin olive oil consumption on biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Supplementation of Olive Oil and Flaxseed Oil on Blood Pressure and Inflammation in Healthy and At-Risk Adults: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

No Observed Difference in Inflammatory and Coagulation Markers Following Diets Rich in n-6 Polyunsaturated Fat vs Monounsaturated Fat in Adults With Untreated Hypercholesterolemia: A Randomized Trial.