Olive oil consumption may reduce risk of fatal dementia: Study

Muscat: A recent medical study called on people who want to preserve their memory and reduce their chances of dying of dementia by consuming olive oil.

The study, which was presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Dietetic Association in Boston, and included 90,000 people, concluded that olive oil consumers were less likely to die of dementia.

According to the study, those who consumed more than half a tablespoon of olive oil per day were 28% less likely to die of dementia.

"Omega-3 fatty acids are known to provide anti-inflammatory benefits, and olive oil is a good source of these," said Connie Diekman, a nutrition consultant at St. Louis Hospital, according to the UPI news agency.

"A diet rich in olive oil can reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, possibly by helping to improve blood pressure, cholesterol and blood vessel function," Dickmann said. "What's good for the heart is also good for the brain, and cardiovascular health reduces the risk of dementia," she added.