The effects of olive oil consumption on cognitive performance: a systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionThe Mediterranean diet is marked by the regular intake of olive oil, which may play a role in preventing and protecting against cognitive deterioration and dementia. The strength of these effects have been examined by several recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but their findings have not been consistent. In light of this inconsistency, the present study performed a systematic review to examine the relationship between the consumption of olive oil and cognition.MethodsThe Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to August 11, 2023. The review included RCTs, cross-sectional studies, cohort studies and case–control studies that explored the impact of olive oil consumption on cognitive performance among those older than 55 years old. Studies were excluded if they employed a design other than those mentioned above, involved participants under 55 years old, or did not specifically examine the cognitive effects of olive oil consumption. The quality of the included studies were measured using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Newcastle Ottawa Scale checklists.ResultsEleven studies were identified, which were comprised of four cross-sectional studies, four prospective cohort studies and three RCTs. The cohort studies and RCTs consistently found that olive oil consumption had a favorable effect on cognitive performance across a number of cognitive domains over time. Similarly, all of the cross-sectional studies reported that the consumption of olive oil was positively associated with cognitive health.ConclusionThe consumption of olive oil was found to enhance cognitive functioning and to reduce cognitive decline. Further large-scale investigations are required to strengthen this conclusion.

Tolerance Mechanisms of Olive Tree (<em>Olea europaea</em>) Under Saline Conditions

“…As we can observe, world production has doubled. This is due to the balanced composition of the oil and its link with greater longevity and lower cardiovascular disease rate, cancer and age cognitive decline [44][45][46]. The trend in international production is marked by Spanish production, where the main olive-growing regions are Andalusia, Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha [37].…”

Consumption of Olive Oil and Diet Quality and Risk of Dementia-Related Death

“…Given that most previous studies on olive oil consumption and cognition were conducted in Mediterranean countries, 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 studying the US population, where olive oil consumption is generally lower, could offer unique insights. Recently, we showed that olive oil consumption was associated with a lower risk of total and cause-specific mortality in large US prospective cohort studies, including a 29% (95% CI, 22%-36%) lower risk for neurodegenerative disease mortality in participants who consumed more than 7 g/d of olive oil compared with little or none.…”

“…5 A substudy conducted as part of the Prevencion con Dieta Mediterranea (PREDIMED) randomized trial provided evidence that higher intake of olive oil for 6.5 years combined with adherence to a Mediterranean diet was protective of cognitive decline when compared with a low-fat control diet. [6][7][8] Given that most previous studies on olive oil consumption and cognition were conducted in Mediterranean countries, [7][8][9][10] studying the US population, where olive oil consumption is generally lower, could offer unique insights. Recently, we showed that olive oil consumption was associated with a lower risk of total and cause-specific mortality in large US prospective cohort studies, including a 29% (95% CI, 22%-36%) lower risk for neurodegenerative disease mortality in participants who consumed more than 7 g/d of olive oil compared with little or none.…”