February 11, 2026, 3:22 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
Nutrition is one of the key factors that significantly impacts our health. Now there’s good news for olive oil lovers: Researchers have found that olive oil may strengthen cognitive health in older age. However, this only applies to oil produced in a specific way.
Olive oil has been considered one of the healthiest cooking oils for years. No wonder, as it is also a main component of the Mediterranean diet, which is regularly chosen by doctors as the healthiest form of nutrition. Olive oil contains a high proportion of monounsaturated fatty acids and anti-inflammatory antioxidants, including polyphenols and vitamin E. As a result, it lowers LDL cholesterol, protects the cardiovascular system, and can even reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.1 A study from 2024 already showed that a teaspoon of olive oil per day can significantly reduce the risk of death from dementia.
A recent large-scale study now provides evidence that olive oil actually strengthens cognitive health in old age and has a positive effect on the gut microbiome.2 However, this only applies to extra virgin olive oil, as only this contains all the health-promoting ingredients. Natural olive oil includes virgin olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, which is the highest quality grade.
What Did the Study Investigate?
In the current study, Spanish researchers examined the relationship between olive oil consumption, gut microbiota, and cognitive functions in older adults. They recruited participants from the ongoing randomized controlled PREDIMED-Plus study. A total of 656 people aged 55 to 75 were selected. The average age was 65, about 48 percent of the participants were female, and the rest were male. All subjects were overweight or obese and had metabolic syndrome. At the start of the study, stool samples from the participants were examined, and an extensive survey of their eating habits was conducted. Additionally, the subjects had to complete a comprehensive series of neurological tests at the beginning of the study and again after two years.
What Are the Differences in Olive Oil Types?
In the consumption data, three different types of olive oil were distinguished:
- Cold-pressed virgin olive oil: This is the most natural form of olive oil.
- Olive pomace oil: This is a refined vegetable oil. It is obtained from the residues of olive oil production (pomace: skins, pits) using solvents.
- Refined olive oil: This oil is purified using heat and chemical processes. It is flavorless and, unlike cold-pressed oil, can be heated to high temperatures as it contains no natural residues.
How Does Olive Oil Affect Cognitive Health?
The data analysis initially showed that the daily total intake of olive oil averaged 30 grams in the lowest third, 50 grams in the middle third, and 58 grams in the highest third of the participants.
The study participants in the middle third, who consumed about 50 grams of olive oil per day, had better baseline cognitive performance. They had a lower risk of depression, persistently high cholesterol levels, and type 2 diabetes. Participants in the highest third consumed 58 grams or more of refined olive oil per day. A larger portion of them were smokers and had a lower level of education.
Nevertheless, participants with the highest olive oil consumption showed moderate improvements in general cognitive function and attention compared to those with the lowest consumption.
Each increase in total olive oil intake by ten grams per day was positively associated with changes in executive functions, attention, and overall cognitive performance.
Cold-Pressed Virgin Olive Oil Showed the Strongest Correlations
But it wasn’t just the amount of olive oil that played an important role. The quality of the oil showed a similar correlation with cognitive performance. A high intake of cold-pressed virgin olive oil was associated with the most positive effects. In contrast, each increase in the intake of refined olive oil by ten grams per day was associated with a deterioration in executive functions, language, and global and general cognitive performance.
Overall, not only a higher total intake of olive oil but also that of virgin olive oil was associated with better cognitive health over a period of two years. In contrast, higher consumption of regular olive oil was associated with less favorable cognitive outcomes. This indicates that only natural, cold-pressed virgin olive oil can positively affect the cognitive health of older people.
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Positive Impact of Olive Oil on the Gut Microbiome
The analysis of stool samples also revealed that olive oil may positively affect the bacterial composition in the gut. It was found that higher consumption of virgin olive oil was associated with a more diverse bacterial composition in the gut. In contrast, increased consumption of regular olive oil was associated with lower diversity of the microbial structure and accelerated cognitive decline.
The researchers believe that some gut bacteria of the genus Adlercreutzia may be associated with higher consumption of virgin olive oil and positive changes in overall cognitive performance.
Conclusion and Limitations of the Study
The results suggest that high consumption of virgin olive oil has a long-term positive effect on the gut microbiome. In particular, it positively affects the bacterial genus Adlercreutzia. This is not only associated with metabolic, vascular, and anti-inflammatory mechanisms but also with cognitive health.
The Spanish researchers emphasize the potential of dietary strategies focused on gut health, as they can apparently support cognitive health, especially in older individuals.
However, it must be considered that the study does not prove a direct mechanism of action of olive oil. It is based on observations and the participants’ reports of their eating habits. Therefore, it can only show correlations and not causations. Additionally, only people over 55 with overweight, obesity, or metabolic syndrome were studied. Thus, its applicability to other individuals is difficult.
Therefore, the responsible scientists emphasize that further clinical studies are necessary.