Consuming at least half a tablespoon of olive oil daily is associated with a 28% reduction in the risk of mortality associated with major neurocognitive disorders, according to a new study published by a Quebec researcher completing a postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University.
This reduction was measured compared to little or no olive oil consumption. Moreover, this observation was independent of the quality of the participants’ diet and their level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, explained Anne-Julie Tessier.
“I think this is a striking result of this study,” said M.to me Tessier. In general, people who use olive oil for cooking or as a seasoning have a better diet. But the association was found to be present regardless of this factor. »
“Higher olive oil intake was associated with a lower risk of dementia-related death, regardless of level of diet quality or regardless of level of Mediterranean diet adherence. »
On the other hand, she adds, it is “interesting and important” to note that the lowest risk was observed “among people who had the combined combination, that is, olive oil consumption and the ‘higher diet’ quality level.”
Mto me Tessier and colleagues analyzed data from approximately 92,300 participants (two-thirds of whom were women) between May 2022 and July 2023 in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Workers’ Follow-up Study. Both studies were conducted between 1990 and 2018.
Participants in these two giant studies filled out a questionnaire about their diet every four years. Olive oil consumption was divided into four categories: never or less than once a month; more than zero, but less than 4.5 grams per day; from 4.5 to 7 grams per day; and more than 7 grams (or half a tablespoon) per day.
Over 28 years of follow-up, just over 4,750 dementia-related deaths were recorded. Consuming at least seven grams of olive oil per day was associated with a 28% reduced risk of mortality compared with no or infrequent consumption, even when factors related to lifestyle and socioeconomic status were taken into account.
Other studies have linked replacing five grams of margarine or mayonnaise with an equivalent amount of olive oil to an 8–14% reduction in the risk of dementia mortality. No benefit was seen when olive oil replaced butter or other vegetable oils.
“This association remained significant after adjusting for measures of diet quality, including adherence to the Mediterranean diet,” the study authors wrote. These results provide evidence to support dietary recommendations promoting the use of olive oil and other plant oils as a potential strategy for maintaining overall health and preventing dementia. »
It is possible that olive oil consumption reduces dementia mortality by improving vascular health, the study explains, as “several clinical trials support the effect of olive oil on reducing cardiovascular disease by improving endothelial function, coagulation, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress.” , platelet aggregation and reduction of inflammation.
“Some antioxidant compounds are present in olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil, which has more polyphenols. […] can cross the blood-brain barrier, and thus there may be a direct effect on the brain, this is a hypothesis,” added M.to me Tessier.
It’s important to note that the study shows an association between olive oil and a reduced risk of death, not a cause-and-effect relationship.
It should also be noted that subjects belonging to the group with the highest olive oil consumption also had better diet quality, greater alcohol consumption, were more physically active and were less likely to smoke – all factors that may influence cognitive decline or dementia.
Further research will now be needed to better understand the protective effects of olive oil. But because problems associated with dementia can occur years before symptoms appear, there’s no harm in taking some precautions, Ms Kelly says.to me Tessier.
“There is definitely no such thing as a superfood,” she said. Olive oil should not be considered a one-size-fits-all solution for preventing dementia. But I believe the Canadian Dietary Guidelines recommend healthy fats like olive oil, and I think these results support existing recommendations. »
The results of the study were published in a medical journal. The JAMA Network is open.
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