Research suggests that consuming about half a tablespoon of olive oil per day could reduce the risk of dementia-related death. Diet quality did not affect the benefits of olive oil, with studies also showing that olive oil can lower the risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and respiratory disease. A higher intake of olive oil is associated with a lower risk of dementia-related mortality, as found in a study published in the JAMA Network Open. The study looked at data from two large prospective cohorts in the United States, with participants who consumed more than 7 grams of olive oil daily having significantly lower dementia-related mortality rates.
The study involved 92,383 participants, with a follow-up period of 28 years. Participants who consumed at least 7 grams of olive oil daily had a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death compared to those who consumed less olive oil. Substituting margarine and mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with a lower risk of dementia-related deaths, while substitutions with other oils did not provide the same reduction in risk. Overall, higher olive oil intake was linked to lower dementia-related mortality in U.S. adults, regardless of diet quality. Olive oil contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that may protect cells and blood vessels, potentially reducing the risk of dementia.
Olive oil has numerous health benefits beyond cognitive health. Studies have shown that higher olive oil intake is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disease, and respiratory disease mortality. Incorporating olive oil into daily cooking can provide a range of health benefits due to its rich content of vitamin E and polyphenols. While butter also has its own unique benefits, choosing unsaturated fats like olive oil most of the time is recommended. Swapping other cooking oils for olive oil and using it in salad dressings or marinades can increase daily consumption and provide additional health benefits.
Taking olive oil supplements is not recommended, as it is believed that the benefits are best derived from consuming the food itself. Supplements may not provide the same benefits as cooking with olive oil regularly. It is important to incorporate olive oil into a healthy diet to maximize its benefits, as adding supplements to an unhealthy diet may not result in significant benefits. The combination of olive oil consumption along with a healthy diet was found to have the lowest risk of dementia-related mortality in the study. Overall, including olive oil in daily cooking as a go-to oil can offer a wide range of health benefits for overall well-being.