In addition to lowering cholesterol and reducing cardiovascular disease, science suggests it can also improve brain health and strengthen memory in individuals with mild cognitive impairment.
According to a study recently completed by Amal Kaddoumi at Auburn University's Harrison College of Pharmacy, extra virgin olive oil may have positive effects on individuals with mild cognitive impairment. The findings, recently published in the journal "Nutrients ," suggest that compounds in olive oil impact brain health and improve the blood-brain barrier.
The connection between extra virgin olive oil and brain health
Kaddoumi, a professor in the college's Department of Drug Discovery and Development, used 25 participants with mild cognitive impairment in his study, which involved consuming 30 milliliters, or about three tablespoons, of extra virgin olive oil daily for six months.
Thirteen participants consumed extra virgin olive oil and 12 consumed refined olive oil.
Extra virgin olive oil is rich in phenols , a class of organic compounds containing a hydroxyl group and a benzene ring, while refined olive oil has been purified from the phenols.
“Participants underwent several tests before and after olive oil consumption, including MRI scans, a battery of cognitive tests, and blood tests for biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease,” Kaddoumi said. “Our results showed that EVOO and refined olive oil improved cognitive function as determined by improvements in the clinical assessment of dementia and other behavioral scores.”
Research on extra virgin olive oil and patients with cognitive impairment
But were the results the same when taking two different oils?
- EVO oil improved the function of the blood-brain barrier and the functional connectivity between different areas of the brain
- Refined olive oil increased functional brain activation in a memory task in brain regions involved in cognition.
The blood-brain barrier and its permeability are key indicators in this study.
As a network of blood vessels and tissues made up of closely spaced cells, the blood-brain barrier plays a critical role in maintaining a healthy brain by protecting it from exposure to blood-borne neurotoxins and removing brain waste products.
A functional blood-brain barrier is vital for a healthy brain .
Results regarding blood biomarkers were also highlighted: intake of both oils altered two main biomarkers related to Alzheimer's disease , namely beta-amyloid and tau phosphorylation, suggesting that they changed the processing and clearance of beta-amyloid.
These alterations collectively may have played a role in improving the blood-brain barrier and improving function and memory.
The results are consistent with Kaddoumi's preclinical findings in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.
The pilot study on individuals with mild cognitive impairment is the first to examine what happens directly to the brain in humans when they consume extra virgin olive oil.
A surprising finding of the study was the results of the control group: the beneficial compounds found in olive oil were more prevalent in the extra virgin olive oil, but those in the refined group also saw improvements.
Even with the need for further study, Kaddoumi is excited to see the results of his pilot study and what it could mean for those living with Alzheimer's, dementia, and other cognitive issues.
Why are these types of results interesting? Because they support the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil against Alzheimer's disease .
Based on the results of this study and previous preclinical studies conducted, the researchers concluded that adding extra virgin olive oil to our diet could maintain a healthy brain and improve memory function .
Although the study used participants with mild cognitive impairment, Kaddoumi says the next steps include a larger clinical trial involving cognitively normal individuals. Given the surprising results with refined olive oil, he also envisions a trial with a variety of oil grades.
How does extra virgin olive oil help the brain?
Previous studies have shown that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, legumes, grains, and healthy fats, with a small amount of meat, results in a lower incidence of dementia.
But extra virgin olive oil has been identified as a key ingredient , identifying the mechanisms underlying the protective effects of this oil:
- reduces brain inflammation
- It activates a process called autophagy, in which cells break down and eliminate intracellular debris and toxins. If this doesn't happen, it can signal the onset of Alzheimer's disease.
- Scientists believe that extra virgin olive oil is better than fruits and vegetables alone and, as a monounsaturated vegetable fat, is healthier than saturated animal fats.
In experiments, mice fed a diet enriched with extra virgin olive oil performed significantly better in tests.
Benefits include:
- working memory enhancement
- improve spatial memory
- improve learning skills.
Now that scientists know that extra virgin olive oil helps delay the onset of dementia, they want to do further research to see if it helps once the condition has already taken hold.
How much extra virgin olive oil do you need to consume?
To get the health benefits, the general body of research says that 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil a day will improve blood pressure, protect the heart and brain, and when you increase it to 3 or 4 tablespoons, the oil also helps with weight loss.
