Olives - Helath Benefits
The moment you hear the word olives, you're reminded of pizza, as you can see black olives put on top. Or you're reminded of olive oil, which now many use while making Italian dishes like pasta, presto sauce and so on. We all know olives have good fats, is that all to it?
Not only are they delicious, but did you know that olives are extremely good for you and have a huge number of health benefits? Below, you’ll find 8 great health benefits of the humble olive.
1. Improves Heart Health
Olives possess a monounsaturated fat known as oleic acid, which has been linked to preventing heart disease. The oil of olives is where this compound can be found, and it’s responsible for lowering the blood pressure, which reduces the chances of cardiovascular complications and general stress on your body.
Furthermore, olives are rich in phenolic compounds that act as anticoagulants to thin the blood, which decreases the chances of blood clots developing and dangerously blocking blood flow. Apart from that, they also ease blood vessel tension and dilate the blood vessels, which decreases the strain on the heart and increases blood flow around the body. This helps to ensure proper functioning and oxygenation of various organs.
2. Lower Bone Loss
People who follow a Mediterranean diet have been found to have lower instances of bone loss and osteoporosis. The compounds hydroxytyrosol and oleuropein, both found in olives, have been linked to increased calcium deposition and bone growth, leading to much-reduced instances of osteoporosis in people who adhere to the diet.
3. Reduces Inflammation
There are various compounds in olives that have anti-inflammatory properties. These help to reduce inflammation in the body, leading to a reduction in pain and irritation in the joints, tendons, muscles, and other extremities. Therefore, olives are great for those who suffer from gout, arthritis, and other rheumatic conditions.
4. Aids Digestion
Olives are a great source of fiber, supplying around 20% of the daily requirements in a single cup. Therefore, olives stimulate peristaltic motion in the intestines, ensuring smooth bowel movements. To add to this, fiber also makes you feel full, so ghrelin, the hunger hormone, doesn’t get released, meaning overeating can be controlled.
5. Helps Prevent Cancer
Olives contain anthocyanins, which is an antioxidant that has been linked to cancer prevention. Antioxidants defend the body against free radicals, which mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones, so adding as many antioxidants to your diet as possible is a great way to protect yourself.
To add to this, the skin of an olive contains maslinic, which has been linked to programmed cell death (apoptosis) in colon cancer cells.
6. Treat Allergies
Olives can also help reduce the intensity of allergic reactions. Certain components of olives function as anti-histamines by blocking the receptor sites for histamines, which induce allergic reactions. Therefore, by adding olives to your diet, you may reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
7. Improves Circulation
Olives are a great source of iron and copper, two essential components for the creation of healthy red blood cells. Without these two minerals, red blood cell counts in the body would diminish, resulting in anemia. This is characterized by fatigue, an upset stomach, cognitive malfunction, headaches, and a decline in organ health and functionality.
8. Antibacterial Qualities
Oleuropein also functions as an antimicrobial and antibacterial agent for the body. Therefore, eating plenty of olives helps defend your body against infections.