Study: Olive Oil Consumption Reduces Risk of Dementia

27th January 2025

2 minutes read

Study: Olive Oil Consumption Reduces Risk of Dementia

A recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Nutrition Society in Boston revealed that a simple dietary change—replacing certain cooking oils with olive oil—could significantly reduce the risk of death due to dementia, according to “Mind Body Green.”

The study comes amid a global increase in dementia rates, prompting researchers to focus more on identifying lifestyle changes that may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Using data from two long-term studies on health and lifestyle habits that tracked 90,000 medical professionals over nearly 30 years, the research examined the relationship between olive oil consumption and dementia-related deaths.

At the start of the study in 1990, participants had an average age of 56. By the end of the study period, approximately 5,000 participants had died from dementia.

However, the findings showed that individuals who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil daily had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia compared to those who rarely used olive oil.

Notably, this reduction in risk was independent of participants’ overall dietary habits, indicating that replacing unhealthy fats such as hydrogenated margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil could have protective effects on brain health.

Researchers also estimated that substituting one teaspoon of hydrogenated oils with olive oil daily could reduce the risk of dementia-related death by 8% to 14%.

This is not the first time olive oil has been linked to brain health. A 2022 study found that individuals with mild cognitive impairment who consumed 30 ml of extra virgin olive oil daily for six months showed significant improvements in clinical scores related to dementia.

The study also revealed that olive oil helped enhance the function of the blood-brain barrier, a critical defense mechanism against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

The new study’s findings further strengthen existing evidence on the health benefits of olive oil, including its role in reducing inflammation, lowering blood pressure, and supporting longevity.

Although further research is needed to establish a precise causal relationship, the results suggest that incorporating olive oil into daily meals could be a simple and effective strategy for supporting brain health.

Health experts recommend replacing oils with olive oil in cooking and preparing sauces as a solution to enhance brain health. Additionally, supplements containing brain-friendly nutrients such as citicoline and resveratrol can support cognitive functions.

The potential role of olive oil in dementia prevention adds to its well-known health benefits, emphasizing that it’s never too early to make small yet meaningful changes that contribute to long-term well-being.