Researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have uncovered promising data suggesting that regular consumption of olive oil may decrease the likelihood of developing dementia.
This discovery, detailed in a publication in JAMA Network Open, emphasizes the potential brain health benefits linked to this staple of the Mediterranean diet.
The study pooled and analyzed extensive patient data from two significant health databases: the Nurses’ Health Study, which included over 60,000 women, and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, encompassing more than 31,000 men.
These databases track a wealth of health-related information over up to 30 years, including patient diets and causes of death.
In their findings, the researchers reported that among the 92,383 patients, 4,751 deaths were attributed to dementia-related causes.
A deeper dive into the dietary habits of these individuals revealed a striking statistic: those who consumed at least 7 grams of olive oil daily—roughly equivalent to half a teaspoon—were 28% less likely to die from dementia-related diseases compared to those who consumed less or no olive oil.
The connection between the Mediterranean diet and improved health outcomes has been well-documented, with the diet’s emphasis on vegetables, nuts, fish, and particularly olive oil. This study highlights olive oil not just as a component, but potentially as a pivotal factor in the diet’s health benefits.
The researchers observed that many of the participants had substituted olive oil for less healthy fats like butter and mayonnaise in their cooking and salad dressings, which also likely contributed to their reduced dementia risk.
The study suggests several reasons why olive oil could be beneficial. One significant factor is the potential for olive oil to lessen inflammation, a known contributor to various chronic diseases, including dementia.
By reducing inflammation, olive oil could help mitigate the brain changes that lead to dementia.
While the findings are compelling, the study acknowledges limitations, such as its observational nature, which prevents it from definitively proving causation.
Nonetheless, the results align with previous research supporting the Mediterranean diet’s role in promoting longer, healthier lives.
This Harvard research adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that dietary choices play a crucial role in cognitive health.
It reinforces the idea that incorporating olive oil into daily diets could be a simple, effective way to protect brain health and potentially reduce the risk of dementia.
If you care about brain health ,please read studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and cranberries could help boost memory.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about heartburn drugs that could increase risk of dementia, and results showing this MIND diet may protect your cognitive function, prevent dementia.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Network Open.
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