Every day a portion of olive oil, maybe you already do it, otherwise it’s a good idea to start. It reduces the risk of dementia and improves brain function, especially if you replace margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil.
Hopeful news from Harvard researchers, as the number of people with dementia is expected to explode in the coming decades. This study offers hope that healthy lifestyle factors, such as nutrition, can help prevent or slow down the disease.
“The use of vegetable oils like olive oil is recommended in dietary guidelines because it improves heart and vascular health. From our new study, we can conclude that olive oil is also good for the brain,” says Harvard researcher Anne-Julie Tessier. “Choosing olive oil, a natural product, instead of fats like margarine and mayonnaise can reduce the risk of dementia.”
Dementia is the fastest-growing cause of death in the Netherlands. Five patients are added every hour in our country. Alzheimer’s, which currently affects about 200,000 Dutch people, is the most common form of dementia.
Swapping margarine and mayonnaise
This Harvard study is the first to examine the relationship between nutrition and death from dementia. The scientists analyzed questionnaires about the dietary habits of over 90,000 Americans and the corresponding death records. Over a span of thirty years, 4,749 participants died from dementia. Those who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day had a 28 percent lower chance of dying from the disease than those who (almost) never consumed olive oil. Additionally, daily replacing just one teaspoon of margarine and mayonnaise with the same amount of olive oil was linked to an 8 to 14 percent lower risk of death from dementia.
Antioxidants crossing the blood-brain barrier
Previous research has already shown that people who regularly use olive oil instead of processed or animal fats generally have a healthier diet. But, as Tessier clarifies, the association between olive oil and the risk of death from dementia is independent of the participants’ overall diet. This indicates that olive oil may have unique properties that are beneficial to brain health. “Some antioxidants in olive oil can cross the blood-brain barrier and have a direct impact on the brain,” she explains. “It also appears that olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health by being good for the heart and blood vessels.”
Positive effect on
What are the potential mechanisms behind olive oil’s positive effects on brain health
Research, we found that it also has potential benefits for brain health,” said Dr. Frank M. Sacks, senior author of the study.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), examined data from over 6,000 older adults who were part of the Mediterranean Diet Study. The participants, with an average age of 67, were followed for an average of eight years and were asked about their dietary habits, including the type of oil they used in cooking and baking.
The researchers found that those who consistently used olive oil had a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who never or rarely used it. In fact, the study showed that regular olive oil consumption was associated with a 23% reduction in the risk of dementia.
Furthermore, the study found that replacing other fats, such as margarine or mayonnaise, with olive oil was particularly beneficial. Participants who made this swap had a 28% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who continued using the less healthy alternatives.
The researchers believe that the benefits of olive oil for brain health might be due to its high concentration of monounsaturated fats, which have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation. Olive oil is also rich in antioxidants, which help protect the brain from oxidative stress.
While the exact mechanisms behind olive oil’s positive effects on brain health are still being studied, the researchers emphasize that making this simple dietary change can have significant long-term benefits.
“Switching from unhealthy fats to olive oil is a small change that can have a big impact on brain health,” said lead author Dr. Claire T. McEvoy. “It’s an easy switch to make and the benefits are substantial.”
The study adds to a growing body of research highlighting the importance of a healthy diet in preserving brain function and preventing dementia. Previous studies have shown that a Mediterranean-style diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, can reduce the risk of cognitive decline and delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
In conclusion, incorporating olive oil into your daily diet can be a simple and effective way to improve brain health and reduce the risk of dementia. Whether drizzling it over salads, using it for cooking, or substituting unhealthy fats with olive oil, making this change can have long-lasting benefits for your brain and overall health.
Olive oil is not only a delicious addition to our meals, but it also offers excellent benefits for brain health and preventing dementia. Its rich content of antioxidants and healthy fats helps protect our brain cells from damage and inflammation. Including olive oil in our diet can potentially lower the risk of cognitive decline and age-related memory loss. So, let’s embrace the goodness of olive oil and give our brain the nourishment it deserves!
I didn’t realize olive oil had so many benefits! It’s amazing how something as simple as incorporating it into your diet can potentially help with brain health and preventing dementia. Definitely going to start using it more often now!