Using olive oil regularly can boost' brain health: Study

Olive oil could be a key ingredient in improving brain health and reducing the risk of fatal dementia, suggests a new study.

The study, which was conducted by researchers at Harvard University and presented at the American Society for Nutrition's Nutrition 2023 conference, found that those who used olive oil in place of condiments such as margarine and mayonnaise had a lowered risk of dying from dementia.

This relationship existed regardless of overall diet quality, hinting at olive oil’s unique benefits for brain health.

Although the research is observational, it strengthens the argument for choosing olive oil over other fats like margarine or mayonnaise.

As many countries face rising rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, the study offers hope that healthy lifestyle factors such as diet can help to prevent or slow the progression of these devastating conditions.

“Our study reinforces dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil and suggests that these recommendations not only support heart health but potentially brain health, as well,” said Anne-Julie Tessier, RD, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

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