In addition to the beneficial effects on total cholesterol, LDL
cholesterol, triacylglycerol, and HDL cholesterol, MUFA diets
have been shown to reduce LDL oxidative susceptibility in vitro
(21–24). Limited data suggest that MUFAs also may decrease
platelet aggregation (25), increase fibrinolysis (26), and increase
bleeding time (27), thereby protecting against thrombogenesis.
Rasmussen et al (28) reported that a very-high-MUFA diet (30% of
energy from MUFAs) significantly reduced systolic (by 6 mm Hg)
and diastolic (by 6 mm Hg) blood pressure in subjects with type 2
diabetes. All of these findings collectively suggest that high-MUFA
diets may have multiple benefits for CVD risk factors.