The Effect of Olive Leaf Extract Administration on Cardiovascular Health

Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy individuals * Age between 18 and 70 years * Total cholesterol levels ≥ 5.0 mmol/L * BMI 25-35 kg/m2 Exclusion Criteria: * History of severe cardiovascular, respiratory, urogenital, gastrointestinal/hepatic, hematological/immunologic, HEENT (head, ears, eyes, nose, throat). Dermatological/connective tissue, musculoskeletal, metabolic/nutritional, endocrine, neurological diseases, allergy, major surgery and /or laboratory assessments that might limit participation in or completion of the study protocol. * Diabetes * Use of medication that might have influence on endpoints (e.g. cholesterol lowering medication, hypertension medication) * Administration of investigational drugs or participation in any scientific intervention study which may interfere with this study in the 180 days prior to the study * Use of antibiotics in the 30 days prior to the start of the study * Use of antioxidants, minerals and vitamin supplements available in pharmacies, drugstores, food markets or in alternative medicine * Pregnancy, lactation * Abuse of products (\> 20 alcoholic consumptions per week and drugs) * Smoking * Weight gain or loss (\> 3 kg in previous 3 months) * High physical activity (\>4.5 hours of running/week) * History of any side effects towards intake of olives