The Claim
Daily consumption of 30 mL of refined olive oil for 6 months increases functional brain activation in cortical regions involved in perception and cognition during a working memory task in adults with mild cognitive impairment, and this increase is not significantly different from that produced by extra-virgin olive oil.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
Drinking a small amount of refined olive oil every day for six months makes parts of the brain used for thinking and memory work harder when people with mild memory problems do a memory exercise. This effect is the same as with extra-virgin olive oil, so one type isn't better than the other.
See the scientific wording
Consumption of refined olive oil (30 mL/day for 6 months) increases functional brain activation in cortical regions involved in perception and cognition during a working memory task in adults with mild cognitive impairment, but this effect is not significantly different from extra-virgin olive oil.
Olive oil (even refined) makes the brain better at working. It lowers the amount of harmful proteins in the brain that harm brain cells. These proteins are amyloid and tau. Olive oil reduces the creation of amyloid and helps the brain clear it away. It also reduces the harmful form of tau. With fewer harmful proteins, brain cells stay strong and talk to each other well. So during a memory task, your brain shows more activity in the parts that handle thinking and seeing.
What the research says
1 studyThe study showed that regular olive oil did make some brain areas more active during a memory task, just like the claim says, but it didn't check if that was the same as extra-virgin olive oil's effect.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.