A recent Spanish study suggests that extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) not only supports heart health but may also help protect the brain and enhance cognitive functions as people age.
اضافة اعلان
The study, conducted by Rovira i Virgili University and reported by Fox News, found that consuming EVOO is associated with greater diversity of gut bacteria, a factor that may play a key role in supporting memory, attention, and overall cognitive health in older adults.
Participants who consumed EVOO, instead of refined olive oil, showed improved cognitive performance and a more diverse gut microbiome—an indicator of better digestive and metabolic health.
Study Details
The two-year study involved over 600 individuals aged 55–75 with overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, which increase the risk of heart disease. Researchers tracked participants’ consumption of EVOO versus refined olive oil and analyzed their gut microbiome—the community of microorganisms in the digestive tract.
Beneficial Bacteria and Cognitive Support
Results indicate that increased diversity of beneficial gut bacteria may explain the cognitive benefits observed in EVOO consumers. In contrast, those consuming refined oil had lower gut bacterial diversity over time.
The key difference between the oils lies in processing: refined olive oil undergoes industrial processes that remove impurities but also strip away much of its natural antioxidants and vitamins.
Follow-up cognitive assessments showed that EVOO consumers experienced improvements in memory, attention, and executive function over two years, while these benefits were not observed in refined oil users. The researchers also identified a particular bacterium, Adlercreutzia, as a potential marker for brain health, which was more abundant in EVOO consumers.
Quality Matters as Much as Quantity
The study emphasizes that the type of fat consumed is as important as the amount. Extra virgin olive oil may help maintain brain function with aging, in addition to its known cardiovascular benefits.
Study Limitations
Researchers note that the study is observational and focused on a specific group of Mediterranean older adults with health risk factors, which may limit generalizability. The study does not prove EVOO alone causes cognitive improvements. Other factors, such as smoking and lower education levels, were more common among refined oil consumers and could have influenced results despite statistical adjustments. Self-reported dietary data may also include inaccuracies.
