Consuming at least half a teaspoon of olive oil daily could lower the risk of dementia-related death, researchers at Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health and Zhejiang University School of Medicine found in a recent study. The study, which looked at 92k male and female health professionals, found that those who consumed half a teaspoon of olive oil each day had a 28% lower risk of dying from dementia compared to those who didn’t consume olive oil at all, regardless of the other details of their diet.
We already know olive oil helps with a healthy heart, but the correlation with dementia prevention is new: Other studies have previously associated consuming olive oil with lower risks of cardiovascular diseases, especially among older adults. Those who consumed olive oil regularly were found to have 19% less chance of dying from cardiovascular disease, which, in turn also improves brain function. “Olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and contains compounds with antioxidant activity that may play a protective role for the brain,” Marta Guasche-Ferre, one of the corresponding authors for the study, tells the Washington Post.
Before you start guzzling olive oil: Although the research does show an association between olive oil consumption and lower risk of dementia, the study does not prove a causal relationship, with further research required to ascertain causality and the “optimal quantity of olive oil intake,” Guasche-Ferre says. The research study is also potentially limited by its research sample, as health professionals may have lifestyles that make it difficult to extrapolate results to the general public.
It also might just be that people who consume olive oil generally tend to be more health conscious than others who consume less-healthy types of oil and fats, clinical neurologist David Knopman notes. Overall lifestyle choices — including smoking, exercising, sleeping, and dietary habits — have a massive impact on cognitive and cardiovascular health, which are significant determinants of the risk of dementia, Knopman says.
Prince’s Purple Rain era guitar on auction: Late singer Prince’s iconic yellow Cloud 3 guitar — which he used during tours for albums including Purple Rain, will be sold at auction at the end of the month, Julien’s Auctions said. The guitar is “conservatively estimated” to reel in some USD 400-600k, the auction house says.
The guitar has seen a lot of stages — and has been on the auction block before:In 2005, the guitar was sold by Christie’s for GBP 4.2k and later on Ebay for GBP 59k. Although the guitar previously went for much lower tickets than Julien’s expects to sell it for this time around, the auction house has previously sold three other guitars that once belonged to the rock star. Prince’s blue teal Cloud guitar set the record for the most expensive guitar sold at auction by fetching USD 700k in 2017, according to the Guardian.
Also adding excitement to the sale: Julien’s will be selling a handful of guitars from other rock legends, including the Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones, Bono, John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Robbie Roberston’s.