A flagship food of Mediterranean cuisine, a study extols the benefits of olive oil, whose daily consumption may prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
According to WHO figures, 50 million people are affected by dementia every year, a cognitive disorder that « manifests itself in increasing impairment of memory and cognitive functions, as well as behavioral problems ».
Among the most common pathologies is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for around 7 out of 10 cases. According to a recent study conducted by a team of researchers at the Harvard T.H Chan School of Public Health (in the USA),olive oil consumption could limit the risk of dying from dementia!
The results of their study were presented at theAmerican Society for Nutrition‘s Nutrition 2023 conference, held July 22-25 in Boston.
To reach these conclusions, the scientists analyzed data from over 90,000 Americans collected since 1990, three decades during which 4,749 adults died after being affected by a form of dementia.
The researchers then focused on their eating habits, lifestyle and medical records.
Half a spoonful of olive oil a day reduces the risk of dementia by 28%.
According to their observations, people who consume more than half a tablespoon of olive oil a day are 28% less likely to die of cognitive decline than those who rarely or never include this product in their diet.
Favoring olive oil over other fatty foods, such as processed or animal fats (margarine, mayonnaise), would also reduce the risk of dementia-related mortality by 8 to 14%.
« Our study reinforces the dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil, and suggests that these recommendations not only promote heart health but also potentially brain health. Opting for olive oil (…) is a safe choice and may reduce the risk of fatal dementia », assures Anne-Julie Tessier, lead author of the study.
Olive oil’s antioxidant properties promote brain and cardiovascular health
« Certain antioxidant compounds in olive oil can cross the blood-brain barrier and have a direct effect on the brain. It is also possible that olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health by promoting cardiovascular health », explains the expert, adding that further research should be carried out to « confirm the effects and determine the optimal amount of olive oil to consume in order to reap the benefits ».