Muhammad Ali, MBBS; Zain Afridi, MBBS
WMJ. 2024;123(5):331.
Dementia is a neurodegenerative ailment that impairs the proper functioning of neurons, resulting in memory and cognitive impairment and eventual inability to perform basic tasks.1 It typically presents later in life and is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States. Notably, deaths from heart disease and prostate cancer have decreased over the past 2 decades, while deaths from Alzheimer’s disease have increased.2
The Mediterranean diet has gained popularity due to its beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, particularly in reducing the risk of heart disease.3 Olive oil, a key component of the Mediterranean diet, contains anti-inflammatory properties due to its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamin E, and polyphenols.4 This suggests that olive oil has a positive effect on heart health. However, the relationship between olive oil consumption and cognitive health has only recently been studied by Tessier et al.5
This recent longitudinal study was undertaken to assess the correlation between olive oil consumption and the likelihood of succumbing to dementia. Spanning 28 years, the study enrolled 92 383 adults. During the course of the investigation, 47 510 deaths were documented, of which 4751 were attributed to dementia. The findings revealed that individuals who consumed at least 7 grams of olive oil per day exhibited a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia. Furthermore, replacing margarine and mayonnaise with an equivalent amount of olive oil was associated with an 8% to 14% lower risk of dementia-related deaths. However, there was no significant relationship observed when olive oil was substituted with butter or vegetable oil.5 In a nutshell, olive oil can lessen the chances of dementia and has fewer adverse effects on cognitive health relative to substitutes.
These results align with dietary recommendations for maintaining cognitive health, as olive oil is beneficial not only for cardiovascular health but also for reducing the risk of dementia.
REFERENCES
- What Is Dementia? Symptoms, Types, and Diagnosis. National Institute on Aging. Reviewed December 8, 2022. Accessed May 13, 2024. https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/what-dementia-symptoms-types-and-diagnosis
- 2019 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2019;15(3):321-387. doi:10.1016/j.jalz.2019.01.010
- Guasch-Ferré M, Willett WC. The Mediterranean diet and health: a comprehensive overview. J Intern Med. 2021;290(3):549-566. doi:10.1111/joim.13333
- Gaforio JJ, Visioli F, Alarcón-de-la-Lastra C, et al. Virgin olive oil and health: summary of the III International Conference on Virgin Olive Oil and Health Consensus Report, JAEN (Spain) 2018. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2039. doi:10.3390/nu11092039
- Tessier AJ, Cortese M, Yuan C, et al. Consumption of olive oil and diet quality and risk of dementia-related death. JAMA Netw Open. 2024;7(5):e2410021. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.10021