Saherwala 1

Abdeali.Saherwala
SBI4U
Mr.Jonade
6/6/2015
Biochemistry- Mediterranean Diet
A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine stated
that Mediterranean diet improves a persons cognitive and
cardiovascular function. The Mediterranean diet has shown
benefits in cardiovascular and cognitive improvement due to
the consumption of vegetables, fruits, unrefined grains and

Figure 1: Mediterranean Diet

beans. The study involved 447 cognitively healthy participants within the age range of 55 to 80
years old. Also, these 447 participants were equally divided into three groups. Out of the three
groups, two groups followed the Mediterranean diet and both
groups either added 30 grams of mixed nuts (walnuts,
hazelnuts and almonds) a day or five tablespoons of extra
virgin olive oil a day. The third group was a control group in
Figure 2: Olive oil

which the participants were advised to follow a low-fat diet. The

subjects were monitored and followed for a median of just over four years. The results prove that
when compared with the control group, memory function remained stronger in the
Mediterranean diet that additionally ate nuts, while frontal (attention and executive function) and
global cognition (ability to communicate and work with people across cultures) benefited people
in the Mediterranean diet that additionally consumed olive oil. I learned that olive oil and several
different kinds of nuts contain an enormous amount of oleic acid, which is a long fatty acid
chain. Oleic acid in its natural setting is an odorless and colorless oil. I have learned that in

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chemical terms, oleic acid is classified as a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, and the
chemical formula of Oleic acid is CH3(CH2)7CH=CH(CH2)7COOH. Monounsaturated fats are
fatty acids that have one double bond between two carbon atoms in the fatty acid chain with all
of the remainder carbon atoms being single-bonded. Foods those are rich in Oleic-acid help to
lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure. Oleic acid reduces the occurrence of blood clots and
has the ability to remove plaque or debris in blood
vessels, thus ensuring a healthy blood flow. Oleic acid is
also known to be rich in antioxidants that help remove
harmful toxins and free radicals from the body. Also, Oleic

Figure 3: Oleic Acid model

acid helps prevent premature aging in cells and increases immune system function. In the article
Dr. Ros states, "Our results suggest that in an older population, a Mediterranean diet
supplemented with olive oil or nuts may counteract age-related cognitive decline" (McIntosh,
2015). Dr Ross further states, "The lack of effective treatments for cognitive decline and
dementia points to the need of preventive strategies to delay the onset and/or minimize the
effects of these devastating conditions (McIntosh, 2015). The researchers measured cognitive
change in the participants over time using multiple neuropsychological tests focusing on
memory, global cognition and frontal cognition. These participants were compared with a control
group of 145 participants that were following a diet, where they were advised to reduce dietary
fat. After a median of four years, all the participants were tested through neuropsychological
tests in order to determine an improvement with the participants that were on the olive oil
addition and that were on the 30 grams nuts addition, when compared to the control group. In the
article it states, The researchers found there were 37 cases of mild cognitive impairment among
the participants: 17 (13.4%) in the group that received extra olive oil, eight (7.1%) in the mixed

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nuts group and 12 (12.6%) in the control group (McIntosh, 2015). Dr. Ross explains the results
by stating, The group with nuts did better compared to the control group in memory tests,
memorizing names or words, while the olive oil group did better on tests that require speed of
thought, your frontal function, your executive function (McIntosh, 2015). Through this we
understand that the importance of balancing a diet in which olive oil and nuts are consumed in an
appropriate amount can cause a persons brain cognitive function to improve or remain stable. I
believe that it is a persons responsibility to consume a healthy, appropriate diet for his/her body
in order to remain healthy in a physical and in a cognitive manner for the rest of their life.
Overall, I believe that consuming a Mediterranean meal on a regular basis is beneficial for the
physical body and for the brains cognitive function.

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Bibliography
McIntosh, J. (2015, May 13). Extra nuts or oil with Mediterranean diet could protect memory.
Retrieved June 6, 2015, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/293870.php
Additional resources
Benedict, T. (2015, May 6). Nutrition and healthy eating. Retrieved June 6, 2015, from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/indepth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801
Hope, J. (2015, May 11). How olive oil and nuts can boost brain power: Mediterranean diet halts
decline in memory and attention span. Retrieved June 6, 2015, from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3076796/How-olive-oil-nuts-boost-brainpower-Mediterranean-diet-halts-decline-memory-attention-span.html
Mitchell, H. (2015, May 11). Mediterranean Diet Boosts Brain Power, Clinical Study Finds.
Retrieved June 6, 2015, from http://www.wsj.com/articles/mediterranean-diet-boostsbrain-power-study-finds-1431356748