Scientists from the Catholic University of Valencia in Spain found that a Mediterranean diet rich in coconut oil could improve major cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, affecting women more often than men, and new therapies are urgently needed.
The Mediterranean diet is inspired by the eating habits of people living near the Mediterranean Sea. When first described in the 1960s, it drew on the cuisines of Greece, Turkey, Italy, and Spain.
The diet includes high levels of olive oil, legumes, unrefined cereals, fruits, and vegetables; moderate to high levels of fish; moderate amounts of dairy products (mostly cheese and yogurt); moderate wine consumption; and low levels of non-fish meat.
This dietary pattern has been shown to help prevent heart disease and strokes, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, and increase longevity.
Coconut oil is an edible oil derived from the flesh and milk of the coconut fruit. It is 100% fat, 80–90% of which is saturated fat. It contains no cholesterol, no fiber, and only traces of vitamins, minerals, and plant sterols. Previous research has found that coconut oil may boost fat burning, reduce feelings of hunger, improve skin and hair health, and reduce seizures.
In the study, the team suggested that ketone bodies—which serve as a direct source of cellular energy and can be produced from coconut oil—might offer an alternative energy pathway for the brain. This means coconut oil could be a potential new treatment for AD.
The researchers examined changes in major cognitive functions in patients with AD after following a Mediterranean diet enriched with coconut oil. They also evaluated whether the effects differed by disease stage or sex.
The team tested 44 patients with AD, dividing them into two groups of 22: an experimental group that followed a coconut-oil-enriched Mediterranean diet for 21 days, and a control group.
To determine cognitive changes after the intervention, the team assessed several cognitive functions, such as memory, fine motor coordination with spatial abilities, and orientation in time and space.
The researchers found that after the intervention, participants who consumed coconut oil showed better recall of personal experiences, improved recall of concepts and knowledge, and better ability to tell time.
They also reported that the positive effects appeared stronger in women with mild to moderate AD, although improvements were also observed in men and in patients with more severe disease.
The team concluded that a Mediterranean diet enriched with coconut oil may help improve cognitive functions in patients with AD.
One limitation of the study is that the effects of coconut oil may vary between men and women and among people with different levels of disease severity. Because the study included only 44 participants, the sample was too small to thoroughly examine these subgroup differences.
More research with a larger participant group is needed to clarify the protective effects of coconut oil according to sex and disease severity.
The findings were published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease and conducted by José Enrique de la Rubia Ortí et al.
