Dementia is a progressive condition that affects almost one million people in the UK. It is a syndrome, or a group of associated symptoms, linked to the ongoing decline of the brain.
Therefore, it can lead to issues with memory, as well as behavioural and personality changes. In some cases it can also affect mobility.
While it is more common among people over the age of 65, getting older does not automatically mean you will develop dementia. And, in fact, research has shown around 40 percent of dementia cases could be prevented through lifestyle changes.
Now a new study has revealed that eating more of a certain food could actually lower your risk for dying from dementia. The research found that eating a spoonful of olive oil every day can significantly reduce your risk of dying from the disease.
The review was first researched and presented in July 2023 at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting, however, the findings were published in JAMA Network Open in May this year.
Previous studies have shown a link between the Mediterranean diet and a lowered risk of dementia but this is the first comprehensive analysis into those foods and dementia morality rates.
As part of the study, a team from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in the US, observed more than 92,000 adults who included at least seven grams of olive oil in their diet daily for nearly three decades.
The results showed that individuals who regularly enjoyed a serving of olive oil reduced their likelihood of succumbing to dementia by 28 percent.
This was in stark contrast to those who rarely or never incorporated the beneficial product into their diets.
As reported by the Mirror US, Anne-Julie Tessier – study co-author and research associate in nutrition at the university, explained: “Our study reinforces dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil and suggests that these recommendations not only support heart health but potentially brain health, as well.
“Opting for olive oil, a natural product, instead of fats such as margarine and commercial mayonnaise, is a safe choice and may reduce the risk of fatal dementia.”
The team looked at data on more than 92,000 people with an average age of 56.
Researchers assessed the diets of participants every four years through a questionnaire and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, which rates foods and nutrients based on their connection to chronic disease risk. A higher score on this index reflects a healthier diet.
The study found that swapping about five grams (roughly 1.5 teaspoons) of margarine or mayonnaise for olive oil each day could lead to an eight to 14 percent lower risk of death related to dementia.
However, replacing these fats with other vegetable oils or butter did not yield significant results.
But Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian who was not involved in the study, said “more research is needed” as the findings indicated correlation rather than causation.
The researchers noted that the Mediterranean diet scored only “nine” points, reflecting the average consumption of the population, which forms a component of the dietary quality evaluation.
Mellor told CNN: “It might be more accurate to use an assessment of diet which looks at a wider number of foods, as more than (nine) things make up a healthy diet.”
Olive oil is known to have numerous health benefits.
Previous studies have linked it to lowered risk for heart disease, hypertension, high cholesterol and inflammation.