Extra Virgin Olive Oil Strengthens Memory and Protects Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Olive oil, an important part of Mediterranean cuisine, has also been found beneficial against Alzheimer’s disease and slowing brain function.

The Mediterranean diet’s vegetable-rich nature and frequent olive oil consumption were already known to have many different health benefits. In this new study , researchers found that olive oil strengthens memory, improves learning ability and reduces amyloid-beta plaque formation and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain that cause Alzheimer’s disease [neurofibrillary tangles - NFTs are one of the principal biological markers of Alzheimer’s disease and are accumulations of hyperphosphorylated tau protein).

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s is a chronic neurodegenerative disease estimated to affect 46 million people worldwide. It is the most common cause of dementia. Existing treatments only relieve symptoms; no satisfactory treatment targeting its cause has yet been found. Therefore, most Alzheimer’s research focuses on prevention. Symptoms include mental impairment, personality changes, forgetfulness and progressive memory loss.

The Study

Another important finding of this study is that olive oil reduces inflammation in the brain and activates autophagy , meaning the removal of damaged structures from cells.

Researchers conducted the experiment on mice, dividing them into 2 groups. Group 1 had extra virgin olive oil added to its usual diet; group 2 received no supplement and ate its normal food. Assessments at months 9 and 12 showed improved memory and learning ability in olive oil-fed mice, while no change was observed in control mice.

In conclusion, it is promising and exciting news that extra virgin olive oil, indispensable to the Mediterranean diet, activates autophagy and thereby reduces the accumulation of amyloid and phosphorylated tau proteins that can initiate Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers plan to investigate whether regular olive oil use can prevent or stop any disease. Keep olive oil in your kitchen and use it healthily in all salads, appetizers, meals and breakfast foods.