What are the effects of extra virgin olive oil on the brain?
Can this precious Mediterranean extract slow down aging and keep brain cells young for as long as possible?
A research by the Italian NRC (National Research Council), has "the aim of investigating the ability of extra virgin olive oil to slow down cognitive aging", as recently reported by the Italian news agency Ansa. The research - selected by the prestigious institute Umberto Veronesi Foundation which is at the forefront of cancer research - is carried out by Giorgio D’Andrea, and also involves the University of Tuscia and Lumsa in Rome.
"Extra virgin olive oil, a key ingredient of the Mediterranean diet - reads the scientific website of the Veronesi Foundation - has multiple beneficial effects on health due to the molecules it contains, including the phenolic compound hydroxytyrosol."
"A recent study - continues the article - has shown that the administration of hydroxytyrosol in adult mice, especially the elderly, causes an increase in the production of new neurons from stem cells - a process called neurogenesis. In the elderly, a natural decrease in neurogenesis usually occurs, which is correlated with a decline in learning and cognitive abilities. Thus, neuroscientists have sought to identify factors capable of increasing the production of new neurons and thus combat cognitive aging".
Therefore, the Foundation aims through this study "to evaluate the effects of hydroxytyrosol consumption on the learning abilities of elderly individuals by using animal models. In addition, the findings will be combined with molecular and cellular investigations to determine the action of this molecule on our brain".
https://www.fondazioneveronesi.it/ricerca/i-nostri-ricercatori/giorgio-dandrea
12 August 2021
