Olive oil to age more slowly and better

Olive Oil for Slower Aging
Extra virgin olive oil could help you age more slowly and better. This conclusion was reached in a study conducted by Giorgio D’Andrea, a young researcher at the Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology of the National Research Council (CNR) in Rome, thanks to a research project funded by Monini for 2021.
Extra virgin olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, can help slow aging and improve cognitive function. The results show an increase in new brain cells in a region called the hippocampus, which is associated with reduced stress and anxiety.
Furthermore, the study found that olive oil protects the microbiome from stress-related damage. Monounsaturated fatty acids, such as those in olive oil, promote longevity, which may explain why people who consume more olive oil live longer.

In the PREDIMED study, the use of extra virgin olive oil was associated with a reduction in heart disease-related events, particularly strokes. Preliminary studies have also been conducted on breast cancer.

Researchers at Stanford University recently found that polyunsaturated fats can help extend the lifespan of worms. These findings may have implications for human health, as many mammals share the same metabolic pathways.

This research considered the effect of hydroxytyrosol on neural stem cells in the brain, in an experimental model. This is one of the few international studies to have investigated the properties of the oil in relation to cognitive aging.

The results showed that in the population treated with this molecule, there was an increase in the production of new neurons in a region of the brain, the hippocampus, consistent with a reduction in inflammation and oxidative stress.

In behavioral tests, a decrease in anxiety and stress was also observed in the treated subjects compared to the control subjects. This could be linked to the production of neurons in the hippocampus, but also to the composition of the microbiota. According to the analyses, it was confirmed that hydroxytyrosol administration protects the microbiota from harmful alterations caused by stress.

In short, the study confirms the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory role of one of the characteristic molecules of extra virgin olive oil, which could have protective effects on neuron formation in older adults.

Furthermore, the study adds a new element that merits further research in the future: the protection of the microbiota from harmful age-related alterations, which could affect individuals’ mental health.

Olive oil, fountain of youth?

A study confirms its benefits on life expectancy and has just revealed that olive oil could increase life expectancy. In fact, in the kitchen, we encounter people who cook only with butter and others with olive oil. However, it seems that olive oil holds the secret to living longer and healthier lives. So, now is the time to consume it daily in your salads or to grill your vegetables.

To reach this conclusion, research was conducted by American scientists for nearly 30 years. The study analyzed approximately 60,000 healthy women and 30,000 healthy men. Every four years, participants were asked a series of questions about their diet, and the findings were published in January 2022 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The scientists compared the diets of the group of volunteers still alive with those who had died, and observed a 29% reduction in the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. Indeed, daily consumption of at least 7g of olive oil, or half a tablespoon, reduces the risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease, by 17% from cancer, and by 18% from respiratory disorders.