A recent study has revealed that consuming just 7 grams of olive oil daily—equivalent to about a teaspoon and a half—can have a profound effect on health, significantly reducing the risk of dying with dementia by 28 percent.
Key Findings:
- Impact on Dementia Risk: The study highlighted that even a small daily intake of olive oil can lower the risk of dying with dementia.
- Heart-Healthy Benefits: Olive oil is renowned for its cardiovascular benefits, and since cardiovascular disease is a major risk factor for dementia, its consumption supports brain health indirectly.
- Incorporating Olive Oil in Your Diet: To harness the benefits of olive oil, consider using it in salad dressings or for sautéing vegetables and lean proteins. This not only enhances the flavor of your meals but also boosts your intake of this beneficial fat.
Looking for another reason to include olive oil in your cooking? A recent study indicates that even a small daily intake could potentially lower the risk of death from dementia.
Researchers analyzed data spanning nearly 30 years from approximately 93,000 middle-aged individuals. At the study’s onset, participants averaged 56 years of age and had no prior history of cardiovascular disease, which is a significant risk factor for dementia.
Every four years, these participants completed dietary questionnaires, providing details on their typical food consumption and specifying their olive oil intake. They reported their consumption as follows: less than once a month, up to 4.5 grams (1 teaspoon) daily, between 4.5 and 7 grams (1.5 teaspoons) daily, or more than 7 grams daily.
The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that individuals who consumed at least 7 grams of olive oil per day had a 28 percent lower likelihood of dying from dementia-related causes compared to those who seldom or never consumed olive oil.
Furthermore, the study highlighted that substituting just 1 daily teaspoon of margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil was linked to up to a 14 percent reduction in the risk of dying from dementia-related causes.
“Typically, people who use olive oil for cooking or as a dressing have an overall better quality of their diet, but interestingly, we found there to be an association [between olive oil intake and reduced risk of dementia-related death] regardless of this factor,” lead study author Anne-Julie Tessier, PhD, RD, a research associate in nutrition at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston, said.
People Involved in the Study Passed From Several Dementia-Related Causes
During the study, a total of 4,571 participants succumbed to fatalities related to dementia. These cases were confirmed through a meticulous review of medical records, autopsy reports, or death certificates conducted by physicians.
Philip Gorelick, MD, MPH, a neurologist at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, who did not participate in the study, notes that individuals with dementia can succumb to a variety of causes. These include infections, falls, heart disease, certain cancers, or poor nutrition, as the illness often leads to a significant reduction in food intake.
While the study establishes a link between olive oil consumption and a reduced risk of dying from dementia-related causes, it was not designed to definitively prove whether or how olive oil directly influences the development or mortality of dementia. Instead, it highlights an intriguing association that warrants further investigation.
“Olive oil may help to maintain brain health and other systemic organ health such as the heart and vascular systems,” Dr. Gorelick noted. “By keeping the brain and systemic organs healthy, dementia may be prevented, and the patient will not succumb to dementia-related causes of death, such as infections, falls, and heart disease.”
Olive Oil Used for Salads and Sautéing
Penny Kris-Etherton, PhD, RD, an emeritus professor of nutritional sciences at Pennsylvania State University in University Park, who did not participate in the new study, suggests that the optimal way to incorporate olive oil into your diet is by using it to prepare healthy dishes. She advises against using olive oil for frying foods or making sweets, as it is more beneficial when added to nutritious meals.
“There are healthy ways to eat olive oil, and I recommend those which include using it for salads and lightly sautéing vegetables and lean protein foods,” Dr. Kris-Etherton said. “The greatest benefits of olive oil consumption on lowering dementia risk were seen in participants consuming the most olive oil and eating the best diets.”
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