Gaby
Daily consumption of 7 grams of olive oil reduces the risk of death from dementia by 28 percent, according to a team of researchers from Harvard University.
Their new long-term study has shown that fans of this product are better protected against cognitive decline and tend to live longer.
Instead of fats like margarine and commercial mayonnaise, opting for olive oil can help lower the risk of fatal dementia. This was emphasized by lead author Anne-Julie Tessier, a nutrition researcher at Harvard University.
How the Study Was Conducted
Over 28 years, scientists monitored the health of more than 92,000 adults.
At the start of the study, the average age of participants was 56. The pool included approximately 60,600 women and nearly 32,000 men who were part of the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.
Every four years, researchers assessed participants’ diets using a questionnaire and the Alternate Healthy Eating Index, which rates foods and nutrients based on their risk for chronic diseases. The higher the score on this index, the better, according to CNN.
For those participants who consumed the specified amount of olive oil daily, the risk of death from dementia was 28 percent lower than for those who did not (or did so infrequently).
The team also found that replacing just one teaspoon of margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with a 8–14 percent reduction in the risk of death from dementia. However, they discovered that substituting margarine or mayonnaise with other oils or butter did not have the same effect.
Among the participants were carriers of the APOE e4 gene, the strongest known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. These individuals had five to nine times the likelihood of dying from dementia compared to non-carriers. Yet, the benefits of olive oil for brain health remained valid for them as well.
The findings from the study were published in the journal JAMA Network Open.
What Scientists Are Saying
While the overall quality of participants’ diets did not affect the results, those who consumed olive oil likely led healthier lifestyles overall.
The potential benefits of olive oil are likely linked to antioxidant compounds that can cross the blood-brain barrier, directly impacting the brain, noted Anne-Julie Tessier.
“It’s also possible that olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health by positively influencing cardiovascular health,” she said.
“Another important point to remember is that about half of dementia cases are caused by vascular diseases,” added David Curtis, an honorary professor of genetics, evolution, and environment at University College London. The expert also reminded us that anything that improves cardiovascular health, such as quitting smoking, reduces the risk of developing dementia.
Previously, researchers have demonstrated that olive oil is beneficial for heart, brain, and bone health. It can be used to make salad dressings, mayonnaise, pesto, or dipping sauces for bread.
People should also remember that when it comes to the impact of food on brain function, it’s not just about what we eat, but also how we eat, said Dwayne Mellor, a leading nutrition expert at Aston University (UK).
In his view, good company during meals “can benefit our mental health in the short term and cognitive functions as we age.”
