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Olive oils are distinguished by their health benefits
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New research shows extra virgin olive oil is more beneficial for gut and brain health than refined oil
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It identified a link between gut microbes and brain activity that fats can influence
SUNDAY, April 26, 2026 (NewsDay News) – Not all are created equal when it comes to olive oil.
New research shows that extra virgin olive oil – the centerpiece of the Mediterranean diet – is good for your gut and your brain. Refined olive oil, which is usually cheaper, does not.
“Not all olive oils are beneficial for cognitive function,” said the lead author Jiaqi Niresearcher at Rovira i Virgili University in Italy.
Nie’s team tracked the diets of 656 overweight or obese adults for two years, including consumption of extra virgin and refined olive oil.
The participants were between 55 and 75 years old and had a constellation of heart disease risk factors called metabolic syndrome. The researchers also observed changes in the participants’ thinking skills.
Those who consistently consumed what devotees commonly call EVOO—extra virgin olive oil—saw improvements in cognitive function and increased numbers of microbes colonizing their guts.
This is a sign of improved metabolism and stomach.
Ni’s team linked these benefits to a specific group of gut bacteria known as Adlerkreutzia. And its presence seems to underline the positive link between EVOO consumption and cognitive function.
In other words, part of the brain benefit of the oil may be how it changes the composition of gut bacteria.
But why is EVOO better than extra virgin olive oil?
Define it as far as how it is made.
EVOO is produced using mechanical methods that help preserve its beneficial compounds. Extra virgin olive oil is processed to remove impurities, improve shelf life and ensure a consistent taste.
This processing also reduces the levels of good-for-you compounds such as antioxidants, polyphenols and vitamins.
“This study reinforces the idea that the quality of the fat we consume is as important as the quantity,” said the principal investigator. Dr. Jordi Salas-Salvadoprofessor of nutrition at Rovira i Virgili University, said in a news release.
“Virgin olive oil not only protects the heart, but may also help preserve the brain during aging,” he said, adding that identifying the microbes that contribute to these benefits “paves the way for new nutritional-based prevention strategies to preserve cognitive function.”
The findings were recently published in the journal The microbiome.
More information
Learn more at the Mayo Clinic health benefits of olive oil.
Source: University of Rovira i Virgil, release, April 18, 2026
What does this mean for you?
When it comes to health benefits, it may be worth spending the extra money to choose extra virgin olive oil over refined oil.
