We all have that familiar bottle of cooking oil sitting on the counter or pantry shelf. A kitchen staple found in nearly every home, we rarely give it a second thought as we’re sautéing veggies or frying up some crispy treats. But what if we told you that unassuming bottle may contain a potent elixir to combat one of our most pernicious health threats – dementia?

It’s true, and the revelations come from a surprising source – olive oil. A detailed investigation involving over 92,000 participants followed for nearly three decades has uncovered olive oil’s potential brain-shielding capabilities. According to the study, adults consuming at least 7 grams of olive oil daily faced a 28% lower risk of dementia-related death compared to those who rarely or never used this Mediterranean diet staple.

The researchers found olive oil’s protective effects against cognitive decline were significant regardless of a person’s overall diet quality. Even modest substitutions of just 5 grams per day of margarine or mayonnaise with olive oil conferred an 8-14% reduced dementia risk.

Another study published in the journal Aging Cell found that oleocanthal, a natural anti-inflammatory compound in extra-virgin olive oil, was able to enter the brain and help remove proteins linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Oleocanthal has been shown to reduce brain inflammation and enhance the production of proteins important for learning and memory in animal studies. 

Another investigation published in Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience revealed that omega-9 fatty acids abundant in olive oil may help clear away toxic Alzheimer’s-related proteins through enzymatic breakdown. The study’s authors suggest the combination of oleocanthal and olive oil’s healthy fats could be a powerful “brain food” to help stave off dementia’s devastating cognitive effects. 

The takeaway? That unassuming bottle may very well be an unsung health hero in your kitchen.