The health benefits

Brain Function

icon

A little bit of EVOO for our brain function

In one study, researchers from the University of Bari, Italy, led by Dr. Antonio Capurso, studied 278 senior citizens. The researchers concluded that those with diets including monounsaturated fat, such as olive oil, were likely to experience age-related cognitive decline compared with people who consumed less monounsaturated fat. Dr Capurso concluded that high intakes of EVOO help protect against age-related cognitive decline.

Amal Kaddoumi, PhD at Auburn University School of Pharmacy, is in the last year of a study that I have been following, which will conclude in December 2020. The study writes: Until now, there has been no medical treatment and/or intervention that can slow, stop or reverse the underlying neurodegenerative nature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The goal of this study is to demonstrate "Oleocanthal rich-extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) consumption stops or delays mild cognitive impairment conversion to AD by restoring the blood-brain barrier (BBB) function in humans".

Specific Aims:

  1. Evaluate effect of EVOO on the brain function by functional MRI (fMRI) imaging, and BBB function by dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI).
  2. Evaluate effect of EVOO on cognitive function and on selected biomarkers

Sudoku and EVOO help keep the brain sharp according to some studies