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Sprinkling your meals with just a splash of olive oil could substantially boost your longevity, according to fresh research. A study has illuminated the potent life-preserving properties of

this Mediterranean staple, suggesting that a modest addition of olive oil to daily food intake can slash dementia-related death risks. The investigation, conducted by researchers at Harvard

T. H. Chan School of Public Health in the USA, was initially revealed in July 2023 during the American Society for Nutrition's annual conference before its publication in JAMA Network

Open last year. The cognitive advantages of a Mediterranean diet are long-established, however, this recent analysis is pioneering in determining how particular foods within the diet

directly impact mortality rates associated with dementia. Over 92,000 adults were monitored by the Harvard team, each incorporating at least seven grams of olive oil into their diet each day

over an extended period of nearly three decades. The results were remarkable: those who regularly included the oil significantly reduced their chances of dying from dementia by 28 per cent.

Conversely, those who rarely or never used olive oil didn't enjoy this benefit. As highlighted by the Mirror US, Anne-Julie Tessier, the study's co-author and a research associate

in nutrition at Harvard University's T. H. Chan School of Public Health, commented: "Our study reinforces dietary guidelines recommending vegetable oils such as olive oil and

suggests that these recommendations not only support heart health but potentially brain health, as well. "Opting for olive oil, a natural product, instead of fats such as margarine and

commercial mayonnaise, is a safe choice and may reduce the risk of fatal dementia." In their investigation, the research team analysed data from over 92,000 individuals, averaging 56

years in age. The dietary habits of those involved were assessed every four years using a questionnaire and the Alternative Healthy Eating Index, which measures the impact of food and

nutrients on chronic disease risk. A higher score on this index is indicative of a healthier diet. The study's results indicate that swapping around five grams (approximately 1.5

teaspoons) of margarine or mayonnaise for olive oil each day could lead to an eight to 14 per cent decrease in the risk of dying from dementia. Yet, replacing these fats with other vegetable

oils or butter did not yield significant advantages. Duane Mellor, a registered dietitian who was not part of the study, suggested that "more research is needed" as the findings

demonstrate a correlation rather than a direct cause-and-effect relationship. The researchers noted that the Mediterranean diet scored only a "nine" on their scale, which mirrors

the average consumption of the population studied and forms part of the dietary quality assessment. Speaking to CNN, Mellor observed: "It might be more accurate to use an assessment of

diet which looks at a wider number of foods, as more than (nine) things makeup a healthy diet." Olive oil is renowned for its plethora of health benefits, with studies linking it to a

lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and inflammation. DEMENTIA PREVENTION The exact cause of dementia remains elusive, but there are several factors that can

increase your risk. While some, such as age and genetics, are beyond our control, others are tied to lifestyle choices. Research published in The Lancet suggests that around 45 per cent of

dementia cases could be prevented. The study identified the following risk factors: * Lack of education * Exposure to air pollution * Traumatic brain injury * High blood pressure * Untreated

hearing loss * Lack of physical activity * Smoking * Obesity * Excessive alcohol consumption * Social isolation * Depression. To reduce your risk of developing dementia, the NHS advises: *

Eating a balanced diet * Maintaining a healthy weight * Regular exercise * Keeping alcohol consumption within recommended limits * Quitting smoking * Maintaining healthy blood pressure

levels * Staying socially active.