The Brain Benefits Of Olive Oil

ST. LOUIS , MISSOURI —A recent study conducted at St. Louis University School of Medicine found that olive oil helps promote brain health.

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which is the body’s best natural defense against free radicals. Free radicals have been associated not only with memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, but also cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

The study analyzed mice, it is noted that their bodily functions are very similar to humans. The researchers gave them either extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or butter and then the mice were given two tests: a T-maze test and an object recognition test.

The team found that the mice that received the olive oil performed better in both tests compared to the mice that did not consume olive oil. The researchers concluded that extra virgin olive oil helped improve learning and memory abilities associated with aging, as well as minimizing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. These positive benefits are due to the antioxidants found in the olive oil that help reverse the damage done in the brain by free radicals.

According to the researchers, even though olive oil is a healthy fat it should still be consumed in moderation. The recommended amount is 1-2 tablespoons per sitting.

If you are interested in improving or minimizing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease, you might want to consider adding olive oil to your diet.

Enjoy your day.