New Research Lists Extra Virgin Olive Oil As Top Brain Food
- New study links olive oil with lowered risk of memory loss
- Presence of Flavanols in extra virgin olive oil can boost brain health
- Flavanols also present in tea, red wine and various vegetables
- Extra virgin olive oil also contains polyphenols – another powerful antioxidant
- Antioxidants in olive oil can reduce inflammation associated with age-related disease
New research has found that extra virgin olive oil may lower the risk of a failing memory.
Reported in The Times this month, the research from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago reported that Half a tablespoon (7g) of olive oil daily can have tangible effects on your overall brain health.
According to the study, the presence of Flavanols (a group of plant chemicals known to reduce the sort of inflammation in the body that underlies many age-related health problems) in foods such as olive oil can boost brain health.
The report states:
Holland’s study praised [olive oil’s] levels of a flavonol called isorhamnetin, which protects against brain degeneration, as well as others including the flavonoid luteolin — shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s — apigenin and flavones important for general cognitive function.
Half a tablespoon (7g) of olive oil daily resulted in a 29 per cent reduced risk of early death from neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s, according to a study by Harvard nutritionists published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology last year.
The researchers from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago reported that both tea and red wine also provide enough beneficial flavonols to keep your memory sharp as you age. The new study suggests that the more flavonols you can get in food, the slower the onset of forgetfulness.
Leading the study of 961 people with an average age of 81, neuroepidemiologist Thomas Holland said many plant-based foods, including red wine, fruits and vegetables are excellent sources of brain boosting Flavanols.
“Something as simple as eating more fruit and vegetables and drinking more tea is an easy way for people to take an active role in maintaining their brain health,”
Other key foods listed in the findings which are shown to have potentially powerful effects on brain health are:
- Brussels sprouts
- Broccoli and cauliflower
- Dark berries
- Green veg
- Oranges
- Tomatoes
- Cocoa
- Strawberries
Extra Virgin Olive Oil And Flavanols
As explained by Healthline, Flavonoids are various compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. They’re also in plant products like wine, tea, and chocolate. There are six different types of flavonoids found in food, and each kind is broken down by your body in a different way.
Flavonoids help regulate cellular activity and fight off free radicals that cause oxidative stress on your body. In simpler terms, they help your body function more efficiently while protecting it against everyday toxins and stressors.
The amount of flavanols in a quality Extra virgin olive oil is worth exploring some more. These compounds have a variety of health benefits, including improved brain function. Research has shown that extra virgin olive oil can also help to reduce inflammation and improve blood sugar control, both of which are risk factors for cognitive decline. Therefore, including extra virgin olive oil in your diet may be beneficial for brain health.
Other Compounds In Extra Virgin Olive Oil
As well as containing these brain boosting Flavanols, extra virgin olive oil is also packed with other wonderful antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols.
The amount of polyphenols found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil is truly amazing! Olive oil health benefits are listed below with brief explanation on each.
Polyphenols are a potent antioxidant – one that can decommission a nasty molecule in your body called free radicals. Free radicals can ricochet around inside your body and harm good cells. Antioxidants, such as the polyphenols found in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, work to neutralize free radicals; protecting the body from their harmful antics. These antioxidants circulate in the body, hooking up with free radicals, unstable compounds thought to play a role in more than 60 different health conditions including cancer and atherosclerosis, as well as aging.
Now is a great time to pick up a bottle or more of the best polyphenol and flavanol packed extra virgin olive oil from the foothills of Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. We have a range of discounts available at our online shop right now. So, why not give the gift of health to those you love.
