Olive oil intake and mortality within the Spanish population (EPIC-Spain).
BACKGROUND
Olive oil consumption is associated with a decreased risk of several chronic diseases, in particular cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data on the effects of olive oil on overall mortality are scarce.


OBJECTIVE
We evaluated the association between olive oil and overall and cause-specific mortality in the Spanish population in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC-Spain).


METHODS
A total of 40,622 participants (62% female) aged 29-69 y were recruited from 5 Spanish regions in 1992-1996. The association between olive oil (analyzed as a categorical and continuous variable) and overall and cause-specific mortality (CVD, cancer, and other causes) was analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards regression models adjusted for potential confounders.


RESULTS
A total of 1915 deaths were reported during 13.4 y of follow-up: 416 CVD deaths, 956 cancer deaths, and 417 deaths from other causes (for 126 deaths the cause was not available). In comparison with nonconsumers, the highest quartile of olive oil consumption was associated with a 26% (95% CI: 13%, 36%) reduction in risk of overall mortality and a 44% (95% CI: 21%, 60%) reduction in CVD mortality. For each increase in olive oil of 10 g · 2000 kcal⁻¹ · d⁻¹, there was a 7% (95% CI: 3%, 10%) decreased risk of overall mortality and a 13% (95% CI: 6%, 20%) decreased risk of CVD mortality. No significant association was observed between olive oil and cancer mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Olive oil was associated with a decreased risk of overall mortality and an important reduction in CVD mortality in this large Mediterranean cohort. This provides further evidence on the beneficial effects of one of the key Mediterranean dietary components.
Unit of Nutrition, Environment, and Cancer, Cancer Epidemiology Research Program, Catalan Institute of Oncology, Barcelona, Spain. gbuckland@iconcologia.net
Genevieve
G
Buckland
Ana Lucia
AL
Mayén
Antonio
A
Agudo
Noemie
N
Travier
Carmen
C
Navarro
José María
JM
Huerta
María Dolores
MD
Chirlaque
Aurelio
A
Barricarte
Eva
E
Ardanaz
Conchi
C
Moreno-Iribas
Pilar
P
Marin
J Ramón
JR
Quirós
María-Luisa
ML
Redondo
Pilar
P
Amiano
Miren
M
Dorronsoro
Larraitz
L
Arriola
Esther
E
Molina
María-José
MJ
Sanchez
Carlos A
CA
Gonzalez
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D015331:Cohort Studies; D038441:Diet, Mediterranean / Q000208:ethnology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009026:Mortality; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils