Kitchen staple may slash risk of dying from dementia - finds new study

11 May 2024 , 07:56

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Just half a tablespoon of the good stuff every day could lower the risk of dementia-related death (stock photo) (Image: Getty Images)

Over 944,000 people in the UK alone are living with dementia - and cases are projected to rise.

In fact, it is estimated that by 2030 more than one million people will be diagnosed with the syndrome due to people living longer. Dementia, medically used as an umbrella term to describe cognitive conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, is most commonly associated with memory loss. However, the illness can result in a slew of unpleasant symptoms including having trouble speaking, personality changes and even hallucinations.

While no one food is the perfect panacea for this complex condition, which currently has no cure, researchers have found a kitchen staple that may cut dementia-related deaths by nearly 30 per cent.

Published in JAMA Network, researchers conducted a cohort study involving more than 92,000 participants over 28 years. Every four years, adults who were 'free of cardiovascular disease and cancer' received a questionnaire on their olive oil intake.

Those taking part in the study could answer: 1. never or less than once per month, 2. greater than 0 to less than or equal to 4.5 grams per day (g/d), 3. greater than 4.5 g/d to less than or equal to 7 g/d, and 4. greater than 7 g/d. During the almost three-decade study, 4,751 dementia-related deaths occurred.

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Researchers concluded that the consumption of half a tablespoon (7g/d) of olive oil was 'associated with a 28 per cent lower risk of dementia-related death compared with never or rarely consuming olive oil, irrespective of diet quality'. Experts added that replacing around one teaspoon of margarine and mayo with the equivalent amount of olive oil was linked to an eight-14 per cent lower risk of dying from dementia.

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"Substituting olive oil intake for margarine and mayonnaise was associated with lower risk of dementia mortality and may be a potential strategy to improve longevity free of dementia," the paper concluded. "These findings extend the current dietary recommendations of choosing olive oil and other vegetable oils to the context of cognitive health and related mortality."

Researchers added that the study does have 'limitations' - such as mainly focusing on white participants - and that further studies should be conducted to validate the claims. According to the NHS, the monounsaturated fats found in olive oil help protect your heart by maintaining 'good' levels of cholesterol and reducing 'bad' levels of cholesterol in your blood - so don't be afraid to drizzle some over your summer salad.

Liam Gilliver