Extra Virgin Olive Oil Against Alzheimer’s

Half a Tablespoon of Olive Oil a Day Benefits the Brain

A simple gesture can make a difference: according to a Harvard study, take half a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil per day reduces the risk of death from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia by up to 28%.

Several studies are investigating the protective effects of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) on the brain. A team from Harvard University followed more than 90,000 people for 30 years, discovering that those who took more than half a tablespoon of olive oil every day had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia compared to those who never or rarely included it in their diet. Even simply replacing mayonnaise with olive oil was associated with a reduced risk.

In Italy, researcher Gabriella Testa (University of Turin, Airalzh) is studying hydroxytyrosol, a molecule found in EVOO that may counteract the buildup of tau protein, responsible for the death of nerve cells.
At the same time, Manuela Leri (University of Florence) is analyzing polyphenols, natural phytoestrogens abundant in olive oil, which may offer neuroprotective effects-especially for women after menopause, when estrogen levels decline.
Thanks to funding from Airalzh and the Umberto Veronesi Foundation, these projects open new perspectives: olive oil is not only a cornerstone of our cuisine, but it may also become a key element in preventing neurodegenerative diseases.