It is widely recognized that replacing saturated with unsaturated fats in the diet helps to lower blood cholesterol levels. Now it appears that one type of unsaturated fat is better for helping to reduce blood pressure.

Researchers measured the effects of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids on blood pressure in people who were dieting and taking antihypertensive medications. One group supplemented its diet with monounsaturated fat (primarily olive oil) and the other with polyunsaturated fat (primarily sunflower oil).

They found that people using monounsaturated fat reduced their blood pressure by an average of 7 mmHg systolic and 6 mmHg diastolic, while blood pressure was unchanged in those using polyunsaturated fats. Moreover, those in the first group were also able to decrease their antihypertensive medication daily dosage requirements 48%, compared to only a 4% reduction for those receiving polyunsaturated fats.

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