The French love olive oil and consume nearly 110,000 tonnes of it each year, the equivalent of 2 liters per person. If it adapts to many dishes, it also has an asset for health. According to a recent study, the regular consumption of olive oil would constitute a barrier against dementia.
“Our study reinforces dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil and suggests that these recommendations not only promote heart health but also potentially brain health,” said Harvard TH postdoctoral fellow Anne-Julie Tessier. Chan School of Public Health, in a statement. And to add: “Opting for olive oil, a natural product, instead of fats such as margarine and commercial mayonnaise, is a safe choice and can reduce the risk of life-threatening dementia. These results were presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, held July 22-25 in Boston, USA.
For the first time, a study has looked at the relationship between diet and dementia-related deaths. As part of this research, scientists analyzed food questionnaires and death records collected from more than 90,000 Americans over three decades. “The results indicated that people who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil daily had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia compared to those who never or rarely consumed the oil. olive, the statement reports. Additionally, replacing just one teaspoon of margarine and mayonnaise with the equivalent amount of olive oil per day was associated with an 8-14% reduction in the risk of dying from dementia. »
Scientists have found that those who prioritize olive oil over processed or animal fats tend to have healthier diets overall. However, Anne-Julie Tessier noted that the relationship between olive oil and dementia mortality risk in this study was independent of overall diet quality: “Certain antioxidant compounds in olive oil olive can cross the blood-brain barrier, potentially having a direct effect on the brain. It’s also possible that olive oil has an indirect effect on brain health by benefiting cardiovascular health. »
Anne-Julie Tessier points out that this research is said to be observational and does not prove that olive oil is the cause of the reduced risk of dementia. In the future, more studies need to confirm these effects and determine the optimal amount of olive oil to consume to reap the benefits. The Manger-Bouger website recommends using rapeseed, walnut and olive oil as part of a balanced diet.
