The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of daily supplementation of OLECOL for a period of 8 weeks on cardiovascular risk markers.

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