Olive Oil Brain Health Benefits

Many of us appreciate the wonderful benefits of adding olive oil to our diet, but few know about the powerful effect it can have on brain health.

Part of the famous Mediterranean Diet, olive oil has long been of interest to researchers. Researchers have now demonstrated that olive oil's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities lower the risk of heart problems and also protect the digestive tract.

Additionally, research has also shown that olive oil can reduce the risk of certain kinds of cancer. According to research conducted in the US, Belgium, Spain and Ireland, the risk of breast cancer and upper digestive tract cancer can be lessened by consuming as little as 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily.

As if these wonderful health benefits of olive oil are not enough, research has now pointed to the powerful contribution olive oil can make to brain health.

Now researchers in France have shown that olive oil actually improves the brain's cognitive function. A recent large-scale study of older adults demonstrated that people's visual memory and verbal fluency could actually be improved through regular use of olive oil.

In different research, olive oil was given to laboratory animals whose brain function had been affected by lack of oxygen. The addition to the food of these animals had an amazing and positive effect - It effectively offset a host of brain-related problems, including unbalanced nervous system activity and the ability of molecules to pass through the blood-brain barrier.

This amazing ability to protect the brain during times of imbalance and stress has great potential for brain health and is the subject of ongoing research.

In another very recent large and well-designed study, researches also found that olive oil had the ability to stave off strokes. A stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical condition that results when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Though those over the age of 65 are most at risk from strokes, a full 25% of all strokes occur in people under that age. Strokes are no respecters of age, and children, too, can have strokes.

This well constructed study involved more than 8000 people and had a full 6 year follow-up period which enabled results to be confirmed over time.

The results were truly astounding. The researchers found that people who included plenty of olive oil in their diet had a whopping 41% lower risk of having a stroke than those who did not use olive oil at all!

The marvellous health benefits of olive oil derive mainly from its powerful anti-inflammatory polyphenols and more than 2 dozen other anti-infammitory compounds. Olive oil has a high percentage of oleic acid -- a full 70% -- and this greatly aids the body to maintain a healthy balance of LDL and HDL cholesterol. Also, olive oil is abundant in anti-oxidants which have the ability to protect the body - and brain - from damage.

The most beneficial olive oil is extra virgin. This type of oil is the unrefined oil extracted from the first pressing of the olives. Not only does it contain the highest degree of important compounds and healthy nutrients, but it also has the most delicate and delicious flavour.

If you really wish to maintain a healthy brain and maintain good health, then you really would be wise to invest in extra virgin olive oil.

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