Not only is olive oil great on salads, but it also provides several health benefits. Due to its high content of antioxidants, monosaturated fats, and anti-inflammatory compounds, it is good for the brain and heart. A new study has also found a connection between the consumption of olive oil and dementia mortality risk. The study found that a higher intake of olive oil was linked to a lower dementia-related risk of death. Consuming a minimum of 7 grams daily (around half a tablespoon) was linked to a 28% lower risk of dementia-related mortality. This was when compared to those who never or very rarely consumed olive oil.
The Connection Between the Consumption of Olive Oil and Dementia Mortality Risk
This connection was still significant even after adjusting for APOE4 gene status and quality of diet. Simply substituting around five grams of margarine with olive oil every day was linked to an 8% to 14% lower dementia mortality risk. The majority of dementia types have a slow onset and progression, which makes studying dementia-related mortality quite challenging. This was the first time that researchers have examined diet in relation to dementia mortalities, specifically olive oil.
“Typically, people who use olive oil for cooking or as a dressing have an overall better quality of their diet, but interestingly, we found the association to be regardless of this factor”, remarked the study’s author, Anne-Julie Tessier. While existing dietary guidelines around fats are mostly based on data concerning cardiovascular health, this new study further extends these recommendations to brain health. Olive oil could provide anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective benefits as part of the Mediterranean diet. This is largely due to its high level of monounsaturated fatty acids and other antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols and vitamin E.
Read More: Some Cooking Oils in People’s Diet Are Now Being Linked to Prostate Cancer, Study
The Study on Olive Oil and Dementia
For the study, the researchers tracked over 92,000 adults from 1990 to 2018. All of the participants were free of heart disease and cancer at the start of the study and were, on average, 54 years of age. They had to regularly report on their overall diet quality and intake of olive oil. At the beginning of the study, the participants consumed an average of 1.3 grams of olive oil per day, and intake was increased over time. Over a 28-year period, there were 4,751 dementia-related deaths.
The researchers concluded that higher olive oil consumption was connected to a lower risk of dying from dementia, especially among women. They found that women who had a higher olive oil intake were 33% less likely to die from dementia. Men were also less likely to die, although the results weren’t as statistically significant as with the women. The team has suggested that consuming olive oil could lower dementia mortality by improving vascular health. However, the study does have several limits, such as the possibility of reverse causation. The results stayed the same after considering factors like income, education, and other important details.
However, there’s still a chance that some unknown factors may have potentially influenced their findings. Furthermore, the participants were mainly white, and therefore, their findings may not apply to other races. The study also revealed that some of the mayonnaise and margarine they used in the study were full of partially hydrogenated oils. This is concerning, considering that the FDA had reported on its dangers in 2013 and subsequently banned its use in foods.
The Bottom Line on OIive Oil and Dementia
According to this new study, olive oil may help reduce the risk of dying from dementia. Olive oil contains healthy fats and beneficial antioxidants that support brain and heart health. Even small changes, like replacing margarine with olive oil, make a significant difference. Although women benefited the most from olive oil consumption, men also enjoy some benefits.
These new findings were strong even after accounting for the participants’ general dietary habits and genetic risk.. However, the study only featured white people, so the findings may not actually apply to everyone. Therefore, more research is needed into the link between olive oil and dementia. However, incorporating olive oil into your diet is always a wise decision. It’s a simple step that may help protect your brain and heart in the long run.
Read More: Seed Oils vs. Animal Fats & Butter: Which Is the Healthier Choice?