Olive oil and Memory – Why Olive oil is Good for Your Memory and Your Health and How to Include It in Your Diet

by | Jan 23, 2020 | How to Improve Memory

olive oil and a plate of vegetable

Olive oil has been known for its health benefits for hundreds of years. It is the number one oil in many kitchens.  This oil has been associated with a lot of health benefits.

We don’t think it would be an exaggeration to say that olive oil has changed many lives for good!  Amazingly,  olive oil is not only good for the general health of the body but it is also good for our memory.

Before you finish reading this article, you would be exposed to many pieces of evidence that established that olive oil is good for our memory.

We will also mention other benefits of olive oil before the end of the article.

By the time you finish reading, we want you to start including olive oil in your diet immediately. At least, you should do this for the sake of your memory and health.

But before we delve into pieces of evidence that suggest that olive oil is good for your memory, let’s first talk about the characteristics of olive oil – This should help you in case you are hearing about the oil for the first time.

Olive oil is the oil obtained from olive fruit (olives). It is gotten by grinding olive fruits and then extracting the oil through mechanical or chemical means. Because a low amount of heat is used during the extractions, many ingredients in the olive fruit make it to the olive oil.

For example, extra virgin olive oil (a form of olive oil) is made without the use of chemicals or heat. Extra virgin olive oil is the best form of olive oil.

But enough of introduction, let’s get down to business.


A Short Video on Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Scientific Research Works That Suggest That Olive Oil Is Good for the Memory

A picture with the word "Research"
  • In a research done by a group of researchers from Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University (LKSOM)(1), it was found that olive oil preserves and protect against Alzheimer’ s disease in mice.
  • Researchers have found out that regions in the world with olive oil-based diets also have lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, there appears to be a direct correlation between the consumption of olive oil-based diets and lower rates of Alzheimer’s diseases(2)(3).
  • Joaquín G. Cordero et al. investigated the benefit of Oleuropein Aglycone (OLE) for Alzheimer’s disease. They concluded that OLE reduced the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive impairment.(4) Please note that extra-virgin olive oil is rich in polyphenols. An example of polyphenol is Oleuropein Aglycone (OLE). This research further reinforces that olive oil can help your memory.
  • Farr SA et al. investigated the effect of extra virgin oil in SAMP8 mice and found that this oil improves their memory and learning(5).

Going by all the research works mentioned above, we can infer that olive oil consumption is strongly related to memory performance. We believe you stand to gain a lot if you include this oil in your diet.

It is crucial we mention that olive oil also has some other health benefits apart from helping your brain.

This means you not only stand the chance of improving your memory by consuming olive oil but also stand to gain a lot of other health benefits. Some of those benefits are mentioned below.

Other Health Benefits of Olive oil

A picture with the word "Benefits"

1. Olive oil may help to prevent osteoporosis

García-Martínez O. et al. examined the effect of olive oil on osteoporosis prevention and concluded that “olive oil phenols can be beneficial by preventing the loss of bone mass”.(6)

Also, in the literature review done by Kok-Yong Chin and Soelaiman Ima-Nirwana, they concluded that “olives, olive oil or olive polyphenols have the potential to be developed as bone protective agents”(7).

They based their conclusion on several studies done on animal models and a few human studies.

2. Olive oil is good for the heart

Olive oil has long been believed to be good for the heart. We are not just saying this, we have pieces of evidence to back it up.

  • In an article published on Harvard’s website, it was reported that consumption of olive oil is associated with a lower risk of stroke.(8)
  • In another (short) article published on Harvard.com, it was said that “diets that feature extra-virgin olive oil helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, atrial fibrillation, and death from heart disease.”(9)
  • Mar´ıa-Isabel Covas in a review on olive oil and cardiovascular system published by Elsevier Ltd., effectively concluded (based on several works of literature) that “diets in which olive oil is the main source of fat could be a useful tool against risk factors for cardiovascular disease”(10).

3. Olive oil help with diabetes

In a research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a team of researchers analyzed data from about 145,000 women and found a link between olive oil consumption and reduced risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.(11)

4. Olive oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties

Olive oil is rich in phenolic compounds and vitamin E. These constituents are powerful antioxidants.

The polyphenols present in olive oil also have anti-inflammatory properties(12).

5. Olive oil can improve mood and help fight depression

There is evidence that suggests that olive oil can modestly lower the risk of depression(13).

With all these benefits, it is clear olive oil is good for our health. It is a nice idea to consider including olive oil in your food for a better brain and body.

However, we recommend you consult your doctor before you begin consuming olive oil if you have a certain health condition.

an infographic shwoing the health benefits of olive oil

How much is olive oil?

coins and prices

The price of olive oil depends on whether it is extra-virgin or not. Generally, extra-virgin oil is more expensive.

Also, in the US, the price of extra-virgin olive oil is less than $0.5 per fluid ounce. The price of the olive oil usually depends on the manufacturer/seller and the place where you are buying it.

Where to Buy Olive oil in Your Area

olive oil and olive fruits

The first place we will recommend is the local farm store in your area. You can inquire from your friends and family members about the local farm store(s) around you.

You can also get olive oil from a grocery store. Go to grocery stores around you and ask if they stock olive oil.

Another place to get olive oil is online markets. For example, Walmart and Amazon carry many varieties of olive oil and you should be able to easily buy them from these online stores.

Different Grades of Olive oil

In case you are just being introduced to this super oil, it is useful to know that olive oil exists in different grades. We will explain some of the common grades of olive oil in this article.

Generally, olive oil occurs in four different grades:

1. Extra-virgin olive oil: -This oil is considered the best form of olive oil. There are a few characteristics that olive oil must possess to be considered an extra-virgin olive oil. Some of these characteristics are mentioned below:

  1. It must be produced without the help of any chemical. This means it must be free from chemical treatment.
  2. The oil should be extracted from the fruit (olive) through mechanical means.
  3. The acidity must not be more than 0.8%. In other words, there should not be more than 0.8g of acid in 100g of oil.
  4. It should have a superior taste when compared to other forms of olive oil.

Tip: If you are thinking of buying an olive oil, you should always give preference to extra-virgin olive oil.

2. Virgin olive oil: This form of olive oil has free acidity up to 2%. Generally, virgin olive oil has acidity between 0.8% and 2%. The main difference between extra-virgin olive oil and virgin olive oil is the acidity and taste. Virgin olive oil has a less superior taste and more acidity.

3. Refined olive oil: – As the name suggests, this form of olive oil is refined with the use of chemical or charcoal. This grade of olive oil is of low quality. Please note that “pure” , “100% Pure” or “Lights” are terms used to describe refined olive oil.

So, next term you go to a grocery store and you see “100% Pure Olive Oil”, please know that this is refined olive oil and not an extra-virgin olive oil. Some manufacturers add a small amount of extra-virgin olive oil to refined olive oil to give it a better taste.

4. Olive pomace oil: -This is so-called because the oil is gotten from olive pomace.

Olive pomace is the leftover that is available after olive fruits have been pressed for virgin olive oils. In other words, pomace oil is extracted from olive pulp that remains after the mechanical extraction of olive oils. The pomace oil is extracted from the olive pulp (olive pomace) with the help of solvents.
Pomace oil is edible but it is of lower quality when compared to virgin olive oil.

Forms in Which You Can Eat or Take Olive Oil

This guide will not be complete without mentioning various ways to include olive oil in your diet. This part of the guide covers how to include olive oil in your diet.
Please endeavor to consult your doctor first if you have any health condition and you wish to include olive oil in your diet.

1. Use The Olive to Replace All Your Kitchen Oil

a man pouring oil

This is as simple as replacing your kitchen oil(s) with olive oil. Many recipes that work with other types of oils will also work with olive oil.

2. Infused Olive Oil

infused olive oil preparation

Infused olive oil is a form of olive oil that has been combined with herbs, fruits or vegetables. Infused olive oil is done by soaking fresh herbs, fruits, or vegetables in olive oil for a certain amount of time. The solids are then strained or sieved out and the olive oil mixture is bottled and stored properly. Infused olive oil may last up to a month when properly refrigerated. You can read more about infused olive oil here.

Please note that you may not be able to infuse just any ingredients into olive oil. This is because some ingredients may encourage bacteria growth.

References

  1. Medicine.temple.edu. (2020). Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Preserves Memory and Protects Brain Against Alzheimer’s Disease, New Research at Temple Shows | Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. [online] Available at: https://medicine.temple.edu/news/extra-virgin-olive-oil-preserves-memory-and-protects-brain-against-alzheimers-disease-new [Accessed 6 Jan. 2020].
  2. Ibid
  3. Antony, S. and Zhang, G. (2016). Olive Oil and its Potential Effects on Alzheimer’s Disease. APS, [online] 2016, pp.B7.008. Available at: https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2016APS..MAR.B7008A/abstract [Accessed 6 Jan. 2020].
  4. Cordero, J., García-Escudero, R., Avila, J., Gargini, R. and García-Escudero, V. (2018). Benefit of Oleuropein Aglycone for Alzheimer’s Disease by Promoting Autophagy. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2018, pp.1-12.
  5. Farr SA, e. (2020). Extra virgin olive oil improves learning and memory in SAMP8 mice. – PubMed – NCBI . [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21955812 [Accessed 6 Jan. 2020].
  6. García-Martínez O, e. (2020). The effect of olive oil on osteoporosis prevention. – PubMed – NCBI . [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24975408 [Accessed 8 Jan. 2020].
  7. Chin, K. and Ima-Nirwana, S. (2016). Olives and Bone: A Green Osteoporosis Prevention Option. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(8), p. 755.
  8. Publishing, H. (2020). Another day in the sun for olive oil? – Harvard Health. [online] Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/another-day-in-the-sun-for-olive-oil [Accessed 8 Jan. 2020].
  9. Publishing, H. (2020). Enjoy extra-virgin olive oil – Harvard Health. [online] Harvard Health. Available at: https://www.health.harvard.edu/daily_health_tip/enjoy-extra-virgin-olive-oil [Accessed 8 Jan. 2020].
  10. Citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. (2020). [online] Available at: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.565.870&rep=rep1&type=pdf [Accessed 8 Jan. 2020].
  11. Guasch-Ferré, Marta & Hruby, Adela & Salas-Salvadó, Jordi & Martínez-González, Miguel & Sun, Qi & Willett, Walter & Hu, Frank. (2015). Olive oil consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes in US women. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 102. 10.3945/ajcn.115.112029.
  12. Santangelo C, e. (2020). Anti-inflammatory Activity of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Polyphenols: Which Role in the Prevention and Treatment of Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases? – PubMed – NCBI . [online] Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29141574 [Accessed 8 Jan. 2020].
  13. Sánchez-Villegas, A., Verberne, L., De Irala, J., Ruíz-Canela, M., Toledo, E., Serra-Majem, L. and Martínez-González, M. (2011). Dietary Fat Intake and the Risk of Depression: The SUN Project. PLoS ONE, 6(1), p.e16268.
Infovore Secrets Editorial

Infovore Secrets Editorial

Infovore Secrets Editorial is made up of passionate individuals that are committed to improving your life. We write about how to improve one’s memory, cut back on irrelevant information, and live a digitally decluttered life. Inforvore Secrets Editorial is lead by Pharm Ibrahim A. (B Pharm). We hope you will enjoy your stay here.

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