English

2 min read

From the classroom to the kitchen: How olive oil helps to keep the brain healthy

Happy International Day of Education!

Today is an important celebration in the right of everyone to access quality education. The International Day of Education is a global observance aimed to raise awareness of the importance of education and its role in achieving sustainable development. Established relatively recently in 2018, the importance of the International Day of Education has been compounded by the pandemic which had a significant impact on global education and learning environments, affective more than 1.6 billion students globally with school closures.

Fast forward to our recovery phase from the pandemic and the International Day of Education has the opportunity to revolutionize the fight for education for all. The day reminds us of the opportunity, and responsibility, we have in accelerating this movement, including ensuring optimal nourishment for the minds of students of every age.

Nutrition plays an important role in maintaining a healthy brain and supporting learning. Eating a balanced diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and olive oil, can help to improve brain function and lower the risk of cognitive decline.

Olive oil, in particular, contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help protect the brain as well as monounsaturated fats essential for optimal brain function. Studies have also suggested that consuming olive oil may improve memory and cognitive function in older adults.

So, for this International Day of Education, why not include some olive oil in your celebration? Advocating for quality education should go hand-in-hand with healthy eating habits that will benefit us now and in the future. We can make prioritizing the importance of education for everyone something delicious by adding a healthy amount of olive oil into our diets.

It is important to note that while consuming olive oil can support healthy brain function, it is only one element to a well-rounded and balanced diet, regular exercise, and good sleep habits.