Effect of extra virgin olive oil on mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials
Simão VC, Prudente TP, De Prado Lopes Oliveira A, De Oliveira C, Silveira EA
Clinical nutrition ESPEN · 1 citation
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
- Intake measured by
- Not stated
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2026-02-23 · Clin Nutr ESPEN · vol. 73 · p. 102977
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Cited
- 1 citation · more than 61% of similar papers · 0.5× the field average
- References
- 50 works
- Access
- Paywalled
- Research areas
- Edible Oils Quality and Analysis · Fatty Acid Research and Health · Nutritional Studies and Diet
- Keywords
- Cognitive impairment, Clinical trial, Dementia, Olive oil, Cognition, Association (psychology)
- MeSH
- humans, dementia, cognition, aged, aged, 80 and over, randomized controlled trials as topic, olive oil, cognitive dysfunction
5 authors
From BR, US, GB
- Victor Cordeiro SimãoUniversidade Federal de Goiás
- Tiago Paiva PrudenteYale Cancer Center
- Arthur Oliveira PradoUniversidade Federal de Goiás
- Cesar de OliveiraUniversity College London
- Erika Aparecida De OliveiraUniversity College London; Universidade Federal de Goiás
Abstract
Background
Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has been investigated as a potential dietary strategy for cognitive health due to its neuroprotective properties. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the potential impact of EVOO as an adjunct intervention for older adults within the spectrum of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.
Methods
A comprehensive search was conducted across nine databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared EVOO to a control group in older adults with MCI and/or dementia. Statistical analysis used random-effects models to determine mean differences (MD) and standardized mean differences (SMD), with the risk of bias assessed using Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB2) and quality of evidence assessed using the GRADE tool.
Results
Five studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 747 participants). Meta-analysis showed a significant, albeit preliminary, improvement in global cognitive function scores with EVOO consumption, including the Mini-Mental State Examination (MD = 0.42, 95 % CI = 0.15-0.68; p = 0.002), Clock Drawing Test (MD = 0.47, 95 % CI = 0.15-0.78; p = 0.004), and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (MD = 1.45, 95 % CI = 0.39-2.51; p = 0.007). The overall pooled effect was SMD = 0.29 (95 % CI = 0.18-0.41; p < 0.0001). However, the certainty of evidence was rated as low according to GRADE, and the small number of trials limits the robustness of these findings.
Conclusion
The findings suggest a potential association between EVOO consumption and improvement in global cognitive function among older adults within MCI and dementia. Due to the low certainty of evidence, small sample sizes, and the lack of established clinical significance, these results should be interpreted with caution, and further larger-scale RCTs are required.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher.
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