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A new study from University of Pisa researchers has found that small daily portions of extra virgin olive oil-enriched dark chocolate are associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile.Dark chocolate with extra virgin olive oil is associated with an improved cardiovascular risk profile. Image credit: Juergen Brandes.“A healthy diet is known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease,” said study lead author Dr. Rossella Di Stefano, a cardiologist at the University of Pisa.“Fruits and …

In a study published this week in the Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, researchers from Temple University and the Sapienza University of Roma show that the daily consumption of extra-virgin olive oil, a major component of the Mediterranean diet, protects memory and learning ability and reduces the formation of amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain — classic markers of Alzheimer’s disease.Extra-virgin olive oil, a major component of the Mediterranean diet, p …

New research highlights the important role of nutrition for the treatment of depression and should inform advice given by clinicians to young men.Young males with a poor diet saw a significant improvement in their symptoms of depression when they switched to a healthy Mediterranean diet. Image credit: Barbara Jackson.“Depression is a common mental health condition which affects 1 in 8 males each year, especially young adults,” said University of Technology Sydney Ph.D. candidate Jessica Bayes an …

Extra-virgin olive oil, a major component of the Mediterranean diet, is rich in cell-protecting antioxidants and known for its multiple health benefits. Previous studies in mice showed that extra-virgin olive oil preserves memory and protects the brain against Alzheimer’s disease. In the new animal study, a team of researchers from Temple University and the Sapienza University of Rome shows that a family of related neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies — which are characterized by the gr …

Olive oil in the Mediterranean diet may hold the key to improving lifespan and mitigating aging-related diseases, according to a new study by researchers from the University of Minnesota and Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.Olive oil is a major component of the Mediterranean diet. Image credit: Ulrike Leone.The Mediterranean diet is one of the healthy eating plans recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to promote health and prevent chronic disease. It is also recognized by the World Healt …

Consuming more than 7 grams of olive oil per day is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, cancer mortality, neurodegenerative disease mortality and respiratory disease mortality, according to a study of over 92,000 U.S. adults.Higher olive oil intake was associated with lower risk of total and cause-specific mortality; replacing margarine, butter, mayonnaise, and dairy fat with olive oil was associated with lower risk of mortality. Image credit: Honglin Mu.“Olive oil co …