Brain Health linked to a Mediterranean Diet with Olive Oil and Nuts

Posted on May 15, 2015

In a recent study, Dr. Emilo Ros of the lipid clinic, endocrinology and nutrition service at Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, and colleagues set out to establish a stronger link between the Mediterranean diet and better cognitive function.

They randomly assigned 447 older adults at risk for cardiovascular disease to follow one of three diets: a Mediterranean diet supplemented with one liter of extra virgin olive oil a week, a Mediterranean diet supplemented with 30 grams of nuts a day, or a low-fat diet.

Participants were around 67 years old and typically overweight, but not obese. Many of them had high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

Based on the brain function tests done before and after the study, the group eating low-fat foods had a significant decrease in memory and cognitive function. Furthermore, the group following a Mediterranean diet with supplemental nuts had significant improvements in memory, while the group adding extra virgin olive oil experienced significantly better cognitive function.


Category(s):Child Development

Source material from Scientific American