A study recently published in JAMA Network Open suggests that an eating pattern that incorporates olive oil may support brain health. After analyses of the data, researchers found that participants with the highest olive oil intake had a lower risk for dementia-related deaths. Participants who consumed more than 7 grams per day of olive oil had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia compared with participants who never or rarely consumed it.
Investigating the effects of olive oil on dementia
This study involved data from 92,383 participants over the age of 28 years who provided information on their dietary patterns, which included olive oil consumption every 4 years for 18 years. The analysis revealed that those who consumed over 7 grams a day were 28% less likely to die from dementia compared to those who never consumed olive oil. The analysis also revealed that substituting olive oil for mayonnaise or margarine was associated with a lower risk regardless of overall diet quality.
Study limitations
Due to the nature of observational studies, it was not without limitations, including that it could not identify associations or determine cause and effect; and the study was only conducted among health professionals. More research with a broader population that also differentiates between types of olive oil is required to determine if olive oil itself directly reduces the risk of dementia-related death or if other factors are involved.
Despite the limitations, the findings underscore that diet is an important factor that warrants further investigation as a prevention strategy.
Heart brain connection
While you may not be able to fully count on the results from this study as being the magic spoonful, it is still worth including olive oil in your dietary pattern as it is known to offer benefits to both heart and cognitive health.
Sources of unsaturated fat, like olive oil, are important for aspects of cardiovascular health, such as lowering cholesterol, blood pressure, and reducing the risk of heart disease. This is important because the link between the heart and brain is well-documented.
Studies have shown that those with higher risk for heart disease have worse cognitive function than those with lower risks, which suggests that what is heart-friendly is also brain-friendly.
Prevention is better than cure
To get the full health benefits, such as increased longevity, reduced inflammation, improved lipid profiles, reduced risk of certain chronic diseases, and reduced risk of premature death from all causes, you need to choose the right kind of olive oil, as they are not created equally. According to Consumer Reports, you should be choosing “Extra Virgin” which includes many bioactive compounds, including phenols that are responsible for most of the health benefits. While regular olive oil is refined and contains almost none of these compounds.
Science has demonstrated that eating an overall heart-friendly diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, may have the added bonus of helping to decrease the risk for cognitive decline and dementia.
For anyone interested, the Mediterranean diet consistently gets awarded top ranks as an overall best diet due to the fact that it places focus on diet quality rather than a single nutrient or food group. Years of research back this easy-to-follow, filling, family-friendly, budget-smart, low-fat, simple but effective, planet-friendly approach that recommends daily varied consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, legumes, olive oil, herbs, and spices.
However, there is no one-size-fits-all diet solution, and there is not a single food or ingredient that has been shown to treat, prevent, or cure Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. But as the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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References/Sources/Materials provided by:
This article was written by T.J. Webber at WHN
https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/olive-oil-consumption-linked-lower-risk-dementia-related-death.
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2818362
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/house-calls/the-link-between-heart-health-and-brain-health
