Daily consumption of olive oil may reduce dementia risk, Harvard study shows

On May 6, 2024, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health published a research paper titled: Consumption of Olive Oil and Diet Quality and Risk of Dementia-Related Death in the journal JAMA Network Open .

In modern society, with the increasing aging of the population, dementia has become an increasingly serious public health problem. Dementia not only affects the quality of life of patients, but also imposes a heavy burden on families and society. The Mediterranean diet has become increasingly popular due to its recognized multifaceted health benefits, especially in terms of cardiovascular outcomes. There is growing evidence that this dietary pattern is also beneficial for cognitive health. As part of the Mediterranean diet, olive oil may have anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects due to its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and other compounds with antioxidant properties (such as vitamin E and polyphenols). However, it is still unclear whether there is an association between olive oil consumption and the risk of dementia-related mortality.

Now is National Nutrition Week. In fact, it is better to add more oil than to reduce oil. In other words, you can change to some good oil at home, such as olive oil.

Research background and purpose

Background: Mortality from dementia is increasing, and olive oil, as part of the Mediterranean diet, has been suggested to have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health. However, whether long-term consumption of olive oil is associated with the risk of dementia-related mortality remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between olive oil intake and subsequent risk of dementia-related mortality , and to assess the joint effects of diet quality and replacement of other fats.

Research Methods

The study used data from two large prospective cohort studies in the United States, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). Participants were free of cardiovascular disease and cancer at baseline. Olive oil intake was assessed every 4 years using a food frequency questionnaire and categorized according to intake. Diet quality was also assessed based on the Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI) and the Mediterranean diet score.

The results of the study found

- During the 28-year follow-up period, there were 4,751 dementia-related deaths. The study found that individuals carrying the APOE ε4 allele had a 5 to 9 times higher risk of dying from dementia than non-carriers.

- Daily intake of at least 7 grams of olive oil was associated with a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death compared with individuals who consumed little or no olive oil.

- In simulated substitution analyses, replacing 5 g/day of margarine and mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with an 8% to 14% lower risk of death from dementia.

- The study did not find an interaction between diet quality scores and olive oil intake.

in conclusion

"The results suggest that among U.S. adults, higher olive oil intake is associated with a lower risk of dementia-related mortality, independent of diet quality. These findings expand current dietary recommendations to choose olive oil and other vegetable oils for benefits not only for heart health but also for cognitive health."

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil, especially extra virgin olive oil , is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids and compounds with antioxidant properties , such as vitamin E and polyphenols. These components may support brain health through anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects.

Adjustment of eating patterns

The study suggests that in addition to increasing olive oil intake, the overall dietary pattern should also be considered. The Mediterranean diet is a good choice, which emphasizes the consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, fish and healthy fats, and limits the intake of red meat and processed foods.

limitation

Although this study provides strong evidence for an association between olive oil consumption and dementia risk, the possibility of reverse causation cannot be ruled out due to its observational nature . In addition, the study focused on a population of health professionals in the United States, which may limit its generalizability to the wider population.

Summarize

Olive oil, as a source of healthy fat, has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of death from dementia. Increasing olive oil intake in the daily diet, combined with a Mediterranean dietary pattern, may be an effective strategy to benefit brain health and prevent dementia.

Now is National Nutrition Week, and reducing oil consumption is one of the themes. We can change the oil in our daily life, for example, adding olive oil. It would be better to use extra virgin olive oil in daily "low temperature" cooking such as salad, soup, and stuffing . Finally, the core recommendations of the Chinese Nutrition Society on reducing oil consumption during National Nutrition Week are attached:

References:

Tessier AJ, Cortese M, Yuan C, Bjornevik K, Ascherio A, Wang DD, Chavarro JE, Stampfer MJ, Hu FB, Willett WC, Guasch-Ferré M. Consumption of Olive Oil and Diet Quality and Risk of Dementia-Related Death. JAMA Netw Open. 2024 May 1;7(5):e2410021. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10021. PMID: 38709531; PMCID: PMC11074805.