A two-year study of 656 adults found that regularly consuming extra virgin olive oil improved cognitive performance and increased gut microbiota diversity compared to refined olive oil. Researchers from Universitat Rovira i Virgili tracked diet and gut bacteria in adults aged 55–75 with metabolic syndrome. Those using virgin olive oil showed better brain function over time, while refined oil users saw declining gut diversity. Scientists also pinpointed a specific gut bacterium — Adlercreutzia — potentially mediating these brain benefits. The findings suggest the polyphenols and antioxidants preserved in extra virgin olive oil, lost during refining, drive these effects through the gut-brain axis, making oil quality a meaningful dietary choice for aging adults.
