Extra virgin olive oil has been associated with health benefits, particularly in brain protection as it ages, according to a study led by Dr. Giorgio D’Andrea at the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology of the National Research Council (IBBC-CNR). Published in the Journal of Neurochemistry, the research highlights the role of hydroxytyrosol, a phenolic compound found in olive oil, in regulating anxiety and stress responses while also mitigating neuroinflammation.
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Dr. D’Andrea’s study is especially relevant given Italy's aging population, characterized by a declining birth rate and increasing life expectancy. The research received initial funding from the Monini oil company through a merit-based grant from the Umberto Veronesi Foundation ETS. Dr. D’Andrea expressed gratitude for the financial support, noting that private funding is crucial for facilitating long-term research efforts.
The findings can be explored further in the study titled “Hydroxytyrosol Mitigates Anxiety-Like Behaviors After a Traumatic Experience in Aged Mice in Parallel With Increased Neurogenesis in the Ventral and Dorsal Dentate Gyrus, and Preservation of Gut Microbiota Composition.”