A landmark 10-year study published in the Journal of Neurology has found that strict adherence to a Mediterranean diet reduces the risk of cognitive decline by up to 35 percent in adults over 50. The research tracked 12,000 participants across seven countries and represents the largest investigation of its kind.
Researchers identified olive oil consumption and regular intake of fatty fish as the two strongest individual dietary factors associated with preserved brain function. Participants who consumed at least four tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil daily showed the most pronounced benefits.
The findings have prompted several major health organizations to update their dietary guidelines, now explicitly recommending Mediterranean-style eating patterns for long-term cognitive health.
