Brain Health & Cognitive Function. The Brain Boosting Fat Your Future Self Will Appreciate

It Has Been Shown That...

extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), particularly rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, may protect the brain from age-related decline and support memory, learning, and overall cognitive function. Studies suggest EVOO can reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s by reducing brain inflammation, supporting neuron function, and protecting against harmful protein buildup.

What It Means for You

Staying sharp as we age is a top priority for many—and EVOO can be a daily ally in that goal. Whether you're forgetting where you left your keys or just want to future-proof your brain, EVOO offers a simple, natural way to support mental clarity and memory.

Unlike trendy supplements or brain tonics, EVOO works on multiple levels: reducing inflammation in the brain, improving blood flow, and even helping clear away the protein “junk” that builds up with age and leads to conditions like Alzheimer’s. A brain-healthy fat that fits into your favorite meals? That’s a win.

What Clinical Science Says

EVOO supports brain health through several mechanisms:

• Reduces Oxidative Stress in the Brain
  Antioxidants like hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein help prevent damage to neurons by neutralizing free radicals—unstable molecules that damage brain tissue over time.
• Decreases Amyloid-Beta Plaque Formation
  EVOO polyphenols reduce the buildup of amyloid-beta proteins, which are toxic clumps strongly linked to Alzheimer’s disease.
• Enhances Brain Cell Communication
  EVOO improves synaptic plasticity (how neurons talk to each other), which is essential for learning and memory.
• Reduces Neuroinflammation
  Chronic inflammation in the brain is a driver of cognitive decline. EVOO polyphenols lower inflammatory signals like TNF-α and IL-1β in the brain.
• Supports Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity
  Studies suggest that EVOO helps protect the barrier that keeps harmful substances out of the brain.
• Mimics Actions of Neuroprotective Treatments
• Oleuropein: Reduces amyloid plaques, similar to certain Alzheimer’s drug candidates.
• Hydroxytyrosol: Comparable to antioxidant therapies for neuroprotection.
• Oleocanthal: Helps with clearance of amyloid-beta, similar to emerging Alzheimer’s strategies.

Clinical Evidence

• Monti et al., 2012
  Found that oleuropein aglycone, a major component of EVOO, inhibits aggregation of amyloid-beta proteins—key culprits in Alzheimer’s pathology.
  Biochim Biophys Acta, 1820(2), 137–144.
  [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2011.10.011]
• Visioli & Davalos, 2008
  Reviewed the neuroprotective role of olive oil polyphenols and their potential in preventing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
  Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 29(5), 449–458.
  [DOI: 10.1016/j.mam.2008.09.001]
• Panza et al., 2018
  Showed that a Mediterranean diet rich in EVOO is associated with better cognitive performance and lower risk of dementia in older adults.
  Ageing Research Reviews, 48, 57–69.
• Farr et al., 2012 (Animal Study)
  Demonstrated that EVOO-rich diets improved learning and memory in mice and reduced oxidative stress in brain tissue.
  Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 28(1), 51–66.

Try This at Home

Support your brain one meal at a time:

• Add EVOO to cooked eggs, roasted sweet potatoes, or morning toast.
• Top off hummus or Greek yogurt with a drizzle of EVOO and herbs.
• Mix with avocado and lemon as a brain-boosting dip.

Make it routine—your brain loves consistency.

Other Helpful Habits

Because brain health is a lifestyle, not a one-time fix:

• Prioritize deep sleep. Brain detox happens at night.
• Challenge your mind daily. Read, play games, learn a new skill.
• Stay socially and emotionally engaged. Human connection boosts cognitive resilience.
• Combine EVOO with Omega-3s. Fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel work synergistically with EVOO to reduce neuroinflammation and promote brain cell membrane health.