Infuse more olive oil in your diet could yield big benefits for cognitive health and longevity, a new study suggests.
Researchers from the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and other universities analyzed health data from more than 92,000 adults over a 28-year period. The average age of the participants was 56 years and none had heart disease or cancer.
They found that people who consumed more than 7 grams of olive oil per day had a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death compared to those who rarely or never consumed it.
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This was the case regardless of the situation quality of the person's diet.
Dietary data were collected from questionnaires; people reported their frequency of olive oil consumption.
Researchers then compared that to the number of deaths from dementia.
Adding more olive oil to your diet may reduce your risk of dementia-related death, a new study suggests. (iStock)
“Replacing olive oil with margarine and mayonnaise was associated with a lower risk of mortality from dementia and may be a potential strategy to improve dementia-free longevity,” the researchers wrote in the study results.
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“These findings extend current dietary recommendations of choosing olive oil and other vegetable oils to the context of cognitive health and related mortality.”
The benefits of consuming olive oil come from its antioxidant properties, according to Lindsay Allan, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Back in Balance Nutrition, LLC, in Tampa Bay, Florida.
Allan was not involved in the Harvard research.
The benefits of consuming olive oil come from its antioxidant properties, a nutritionist pointed out. (iStock)
“Oxidative stress is one of the main causes of disease – that's why we always talk about consuming plenty of foods rich in antioxidants and which have the ability to 'quench' those free radicals or 'oxidants' that cause damage to our cells . she told Fox News Digital.
“Extra virgin olive oil is one of those foods that are super rich in phenolic compounds, which act as powerful antioxidants in the body,” she continued.
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“So it makes sense that regularly consuming olive oil – as opposed to the highly oxidized, processed seed oils we find all over supermarkets – would reduce the damage to neurons caused by oxidative stress.”
Tanya Freirich, a registered dietitian nutritionist in Charlotte, North Carolina, who practices as The Lupus Dietitian, was not involved in the study but commented on the health benefits of olive oil.
“Higher omega-3 intake is known to reduce dementia and cognitive decline,” says a registered dietitian. (iStock)
“Olive oil is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, a nutritious fat that many people don't get enough of,” she told Fox News Digital.
“Higher omega-3 intake is known to reduce dementia and cognitive decline. It's great to see the link between consuming olive oil, a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, and a reduced risk of dementia.”
“It would be great if a certain food could slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease, but we have no scientific evidence that these claims are true.”
Experts from the Alzheimer's Association noted that the study had “significant limitations.”
“This study looked at people's health records, death records, diet and food frequency questionnaires to attempt to identify possible links between specific food intake and the risk of dementia-related mortality,” said Rebecca M. Edelmayer, PhD, senior director of scientific engagement at the Alzheimer's Association.
“It's not an intervention study where some people ate olive oil and others didn't – which is the 'gold standard' for how a clinical trial of treatments is conducted. “That means this study can show a link or connection between two things, but it cannot prove cause and effect.”
Many factors beyond diet contribute to dementia risk, experts agreed. (iStock)
Edelmayer also noted that death data may not be a reliable measure of mortality from dementia, because dementia and… Alzheimer's disease are often 'underreported' as a cause of death.
There is also a need for research among broader populations, Edelmayer added, because this research focused primarily on non-Hispanic white people.
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“There is good, high-quality evidence that consuming more olive oil and similar vegetable oils and less animal fats has health benefits, especially benefits for heart health,” she said.
“It would be great if a certain food could slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease, but we have no scientific evidence that these claims are true. We need randomized, controlled clinical trials to assess whether any food has a scientifically proven has a beneficial effect.”
“In addition to olive oil intake, people should still aim to exercise regularly… and consume other healthy foods for the best protection against developing dementia,” a nutritionist advised. (iStock)
Experts agree that many factors come into play when assessing dementia risk.
“In addition to olive oil intake, people should still strive to exercise regularly, engage in hobbies that stimulate their mind, and consume other things. healthy food for the most protection against developing dementia,” Frierich said.
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“In addition, other habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption or health problems such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol can contribute to the development of dementia.”
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It is also important to stay regularly scheduled doctor's appointments to manage other health risks, the experts said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for additional comment.
For more health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.
