Adding olive oil to your diet may reduce your risk of developing or dying from dementia and is good for your brain.

How does olive oil affect brain health?

1. Helps reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases

Dr. Kaustubh Mahajan, consultant neurologist, SL Raheja Hospital (Mumbai, India) - said that adding olive oil to your diet may reduce the risk of developing or dying from dementia.

In addition to its heart health benefits, olive oil also contains certain compounds that may also support brain health.

One of these compounds is polyphenol, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may protect brain cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

According to Dr. Kaustubh Mahajan, the Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil as the main source of fat, is associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and improved cognitive function in older adults.

"Olive oil helps reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and neurological disease. It consists of two main components: monounsaturated fatty acids and bioactive phenolic compounds. Both of which contribute to its health-promoting properties," said Kaustubh Mahajan.

- Olive oil composition

The Mediterranean diet mainly includes plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits and whole grains) and healthy fats. Olive oil is classified as a healthy fat because it contains oleic acid (50 - 80%) along with polyunsaturated fats, linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid.

Additionally, olive oil contains small compounds such as tocopherols (vitamin E), squalene, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds that enhance its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

2. Helps reduce the risk of death from dementia

While olive oil cannot cure dementia, including olive oil in the diet may have potential benefits for brain health, including a potential role in reducing the risk of dementia.

Dr. Kaustubh Mahajan points out some of the health benefits of consuming olive oil, including:

- Olive oil is rich in antioxidant compounds such as polyphenols and vitamin E, which help neutralize harmful free radicals in the brain. Otherwise, these free radicals can cause cell damage and lead to age-related cognitive impairment.

- Reducing brain inflammation reduces the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Polyphenols and other bioactive compounds in olive oil have anti-inflammatory effects, ensuring better results for brain health.

- Olive oil increases blood flow in the body and improves endothelial function. This results in a smoother delivery of oxygen and nutrients and leads to healthier functional connections between different brain regions.