Benefits of eating olives for your body

Olives are the ideal complement to the Mediterranean diet par excellence. Eating olives has great benefits for the body, especially when we do it regularly. Olives originated in Greece and Asia Minor. Today, there are several varieties around the world such as the Gordal, Hojiblanca, Manzanillas, Picual olives, among others. Many of them are used for table consumption or to produce oil, depending on the growing area. The olives that will be destined for direct consumption are harvested before the month of November and the olives for the production of oil, from November to January.

Table olives can provide us with the basic flavors that our palate is capable of detecting: acid, sweet, bitter and salty. What makes them an easy ingredient to use in any recipe.

Olive oil is the most recommended when preparing or accompanying our food, since it has multiple health benefits. Depending on the variety of olive used to produce it, you will get its flavor. Making just one liter of olive oil uses around 5 kilos of olives.

Nutrients of olives

We can find more nutrients and more calories in those olives that have had a longer time to ripen on the olive tree. Therefore, black olives stand out more than green ones, since the latter were plucked while still immature.

Olives are a source of fiber, minerals, amino acids, vitamin A, and vitamin E. Sodium is the mineral with the greatest presence, this is due to the processing involved in making olives edible. Sodium also regulates the presence of water at the cellular level and blood pressure, therefore, people with hypertension should moderate their consumption . In addition, we have calcium and iron in small amounts, these help prevent anemia and have stronger bones and teeth. We can also find other minerals such as magnesium, potassium and phosphorus.

Olives are also high in monounsaturated fats, but don’t panic! They are healthy fats and it is one of the best benefits of eating olives. They are rich in omega-9 and omega-3 and omega-6 to a lesser extent, therefore, they stand out as a source of fatty acids , especially oleic acid, which is 99% present. Oleic acid, if consumed frequently and in a controlled manner, levels blood cholesterol, counteracts the risk of cardiovascular disease and hardening of the arteries.

Benefits of eating olives

Benefits against chronic degenerative diseases

  • They decrease the presence of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) . Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, strokes and heart attacks.
  • Oleuropein is a phenolic compound present in the pulp of green olives, in olive leaves and in extra virgin olive oil. This compound has been considered as an adjunct in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
  • Due to their anti-inflammatory action, they are excellent allies to combat diseases such as arthritis .

Benefits for the skin

  • Vitamins A, D, E and the antioxidants present in olives reduce the risk of developing skin cancer and slow aging . They also help keep the skin soft and hydrated, as they stimulate the regeneration of dermal cells and protect against the sun’s rays. They also help us to have good eyesight.
  • They prevent the appearance of blisters due to burns . Yes, you only need to crush the olives, put them on a clean cloth and then on the burn. Similarly, you can use gauze soaked in olive oil and sea salt.

Benefits at the bone level

  • Its calcium content strengthens bones and prevents loss of bone density . Great benefit for women, as they are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis.

Digestive benefits

  • The presence of insoluble fiber in olives helps to say goodbye to constipation, as it stimulates bowel movements. Therefore, it improves intestinal transit, detoxifies the digestive system and cleanses the colon.
  • The content of monounsaturated fats and fiber produce a feeling of fullness for a long time and stimulate the burning of calories.

Benefits at the cellular level

  • Black olives have a large amount of iron that helps to achieve a better performance in the physical activities to be carried out. This is because iron improves cellular oxygenation, providing more energy.
  • Another benefit of eating olives is the presence of vitamins A and C, since they strengthen the immune system, protect the body and improve cell function.
  • Olives also reduce stress. The presence of polyphenols and thiamine calm the nervous system and reduce oxidative stress.

Now that you know many of the benefits of eating olives, don’t wait any longer and start integrating them with your food. We leave you this video with some ideas for easy appetizers to prepare.