Olive oil turned out to be not equally beneficial - an unexpected detail

A study has shown that virgin olive oil is associated with improved cognitive function and greater diversity of gut microbiota, while refined oil is associated with a decline in these indicators. Scientists emphasize that a correlation was found, not a causal relationship.

A new study published in the journal Microbiome has revealed an unexpected difference between types of olive oil. The two-year study involved 656 people aged 55 to 75 who were overweight and had metabolic syndrome. Researchers found that consumption of virgin olive oil (minimally processed oil) was associated with improved cognitive function and greater diversity of gut bacteria. In contrast, higher consumption of refined olive oil correlated with lower microbiota diversity and more pronounced cognitive decline. Researchers suggest that polyphenols—natural antioxidant compounds that are preserved in virgin oil but lost during refining—play a key role. Scientists emphasize that the results show a correlation, not a causal relationship. For daily nutrition, experts recommend 1-2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil per day as part of a Mediterranean diet.