Harvard Fell in Love with Olive Oil Because of the Latest Great Health Discovery
If Mediterranean countries are characterized by one thing, it is the presence in their diet of certain foods that They make him one of the most powerful and healthy in the world. But among all of them, without a doubt, one of the most consumed products is olive oil.
Its countless positive aspects make it an indispensable food product in the diet of any citizen, and not only the Mediterranean. In this sense, and also in order to test what these beneficial effects were, as well as their importance in minimizing the risk of serious diseases, Harvard University has been conducting a study since 1990 involving 92,383 adults.and which identified the benefits of consuming a certain amount of olive oil daily.
Specifically, the study aims to clarify and confirm that a certain amount of liquid gold consumption can significantly reduce the risk of dementia-related death. Thus, thanks to the study, it was confirmed that consuming olive oil in certain quantities prevents cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity and even depression.
This study was published in a scientific journal Jama Network Open, And after analyzing data from more than 60,000 patients since 1990It found that none of them experienced cognitive decline that might indicate the onset of dementia.
For this purpose and from the beginning of monitoring, in 1990, over the next 28 years (until 2018) All participants were required to fill out a questionnaire about their lifestyle.as well as a medical history every two years, as well as reporting what type of food they consumed every four years.
One of the products they were asked about was olive oil, from which they had to explain how much they consumed, how often and at what time. For this, Blood samples were taken from 296 participants and so-called APOE genotyping was performed.
In contrast, other participants who did not provide blood samples during the 1989–1990 and 1993–1995 study periods Their saliva samples were collected between 2002 and 2004.
On the other hand, dementia-related mortality was analyzed during the study years, a period when 7451 members have died. Finally, through their analysis, the researchers tested how increasing olive oil consumption was associated with Reducing mortality from dementia.
How the study was conducted
Thus, several groups were created, each of which had to consume a certain amount of olive oil to see how it would affect their body and health. Your predisposition to certain diseases:
- First group (reference group): do not consume olive oil or less than once a month.
- Second group: up to four and a half grams of olive oil per day.
- Third group: from four and a half to seven grams per day.
- Fourth group: more than seven grams per day.
The study also took into account factors such as lifestyle, smoking, physical activity or family history of dementia.
Thus, it was concluded that a tablespoon of seven grams or more per day, significantly reduces (by 28%) the risk of death from dementiaTherefore, one of the main findings was that those people who consumed more olive oil daily They were much less likely to suffer from these diseases.
In addition, it was also found that participants who consumed more than seven grams of olive oil per day had better lifestyle habits: higher diet quality or less alcohol consumption, and were also human. are much more likely to engage in physical activity and not smoke.
At the same time, it was discovered that Mediterranean countries have relatively low rates of dementia, mainly in Spain, Greece and Italy.which was also due to the fact that these countries consume the largest amount of olive oil annually.
But why is olive oil so good for our bodies and brains? Answer We find it in oleic acid, which It is a monounsaturated fatty acid which is found in large quantities in olive oil. This, combined with antioxidants such as vitamin E and secondary plant substances, allows Olive oil effectively protects against inflammatory processes in the body.