A recent study indicates that the consumption of olive oil might lower the risk of death due to dementia. Although more research is necessary, the preliminary findings support dietary advice advocating for olive oil, considering its potential benefits for heart and brain health.
Regular intake of olive oil is linked to a 28% reduced risk of dementia-related death.
This recent study suggests that incorporating olive oil into one’s diet might lower the risk of death due to dementia. With the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia globally, this study offers optimism that dietary changes, alongside other healthy lifestyle habits, could assist in preventing or slowing down the progression of these debilitating diseases.
“Our research reaffirms dietary advice endorsing vegetable oils like olive oil and proposes that these guidelines not only bolster heart health but potentially brain health as well,” shared Anne-Julie Tessier, RD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Choosing olive oil, a natural product, over fats such as margarine and commercial mayonnaise is a safe alternative and may lower the risk of death from dementia.”
Tessier revealed the findings at NUTRITION 2023, the prominent annual convention of the American Society for Nutrition, which took place from July 22 to 25 in Boston.
Anne-Julie Tessier, RD, PhD, postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Credit: Anne-Julie Tessier
Understanding Dementia and Its Consequences
Dementia includes various conditions causing impairments in cognition or memory that influence a person’s daily life. Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive and lethal condition, is the most prevalent form of dementia, affecting approximately 5.7 million Americans.
Investigation Methodology and Findings
The research is distinctive as it is the first to explore the connection between diet and dementia-related death. The team analyzed dietary surveys and death certificates from over 90,000 Americans over a thirty-year span, during which 4,749 study participants succumbed to dementia.
The findings suggest that individuals who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil daily had a 28% reduced risk of death from dementia compared to those who seldom or never consumed olive oil. Moreover, replacing just one teaspoon of margarine or mayonnaise with an equivalent amount of olive oil per day corresponded to an 8-14% lower risk of dementia-related death.
Olive Oil and Its Health Benefits
Research implies that those who regularly substitute processed or animal fats with olive oil tend to have healthier diets overall. However, Tessier noted that the correlation between olive oil and the risk of death from dementia in this study was independent of overall diet quality. This could suggest that olive oil possesses properties uniquely beneficial for brain health.
“Some antioxidant compounds in olive oil can penetrate the blood-brain barrier, potentially directly affecting the brain,” Tessier stated. “It’s also feasible that olive oil indirectly influences brain health by improving cardiovascular health.”
Previous Findings and Implications for Future Research
Earlier research has linked increased olive oil consumption with a lower risk of heart disease. Furthermore, using olive oil as part of a Mediterranean dietary pattern has been shown to help protect against cognitive decline.
Tessier warned that the study is observational and doesn’t establish that olive oil directly reduces the risk of death from dementia. Additional research such as randomized controlled trials will be necessary to verify the effects and determine the ideal quantity of olive oil to consume to gain these benefits. Overall, however, the study supports dietary recommendations and strengthens the notion that substituting margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil can aid in maintaining a healthy diet.
Tessier shared this research on Monday, July 24, during the Nutrition-related Factors in Aging and Chronic Disease Poster Theater Flash Session at the Sheraton Boston, Fairfax.
Please note that abstracts presented at NUTRITION 2023 were reviewed and selected by a panel of experts but have not generally gone through the peer review process required for publication in a scientific journal. Therefore, the findings should be viewed as preliminary until a peer-reviewed publication is accessible.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Olive Oil and Dementia Risk
What are the primary findings of the study?
The study suggests that regular consumption of olive oil is associated with a 28% lower risk of death due to dementia. Also, replacing just one teaspoon of margarine or mayonnaise with an equivalent amount of olive oil per day could potentially reduce the risk of dementia-related death by 8-14%.
What makes this study unique?
This is the first study to examine the relationship between diet, specifically olive oil consumption, and death related to dementia. It analyzed dietary data and death records from over 90,000 Americans over a period of thirty years.
Does the consumption of olive oil affect overall diet quality?
While research suggests that those who regularly use olive oil instead of processed or animal fats tend to have healthier diets overall, the relationship between olive oil and dementia mortality risk in this study was found to be independent of overall diet quality.
What were the study’s implications for olive oil’s role in heart and brain health?
The study reinforced dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils like olive oil, suggesting that these recommendations not only support heart health but also potentially enhance brain health.
Has the effect of olive oil on reducing dementia risk been proven conclusively?
No, the research is observational and doesn’t establish that olive oil directly reduces the risk of death from dementia. More research such as randomized controlled trials would be needed to confirm these effects.
Who presented these findings?
The findings were presented by Anne-Julie Tessier, RD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, at the NUTRITION 2023 meeting.
More about Olive Oil and Dementia Risk
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- American Society for Nutrition
- Overview of Dementia
- Olive Oil Health Benefits
- Mediterranean Diet and Cognitive Health
