Know Your Fruit - Olive
Image Source - Crucafe
Olives are a powerful and delicious fruit that can provide the human body with a wealth of health benefits. Olive oil gets a lot of attention because it is so functional in cooking, and is hailed as having a more concentrated form of nutrients than the olive fruit itself, but it is important not to overlook the massive health benefits that all olives possess, such as discussed below.
- Heart Health Booster
Olives possess a monounsaturated fat called oleic acid, which has been linked to preventing heart disease. The oil of olives is where this oleic acid is located, and it is responsible for lower blood pressure, which reduces the chances of cardiovascular complications and general stress on the system. Furthermore, olives are rich in phenolic compounds, which act as anticoagulants to thin the blood, which reduces the chances of blood clots developing and dangerously blocking the flow of blood. Aside from that, the same phenolic compound also eases blood vessel tension and dilates the blood vessels, which reduces the strain on the heart and increases blood flow around the body in a healthy way, ensuring the proper functioning and oxygenation of the various organ systems. Fiber in olives also boosts heart health by working to eliminate excess cholesterol in the blood.
- Bone Loss
Hydroxytyrosol, as well as oleuropein in olives, are linked to increased calcium deposition and bone growth, leading to a distinct drop in osteoporosis. Add a healthy amount of olives or olive oil to your diet if you are already at risk for bone degeneration, or if you have some family history of it, and stay healthy and strong well into your old age.
- Cancer Prevention
Olives contain anthocyanins, which are positively connected to cancer prevention as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory substance. Antioxidants defend the body against free radicals, which mutate healthy cells into cancerous ones, so adding as many antioxidants as you can is the best way to protect yourself. Secondly, olives have oleic acid as mentioned earlier, which inhibit certain growth factor receptors that trigger the development of breast cancer. Lastly, that hydroxytyrosol comes into play for a third time, working to prevent DNA mutation and abnormal cell growth; in other words, it acts as a second type of antioxidant. Even the skin of the olive contains maslinic, which has been connected to programmed cell death (apoptosis) in colon cancer cells.
- Reduce Inflammation
Various compounds in olives function not only as antioxidant compounds, but also anti-inflammatory ones. These reduce inflammation throughout the body after eating them, which includes a reduction in pain and irritation in the joints, muscles, injuries, tendons, and extremities which may suffer from various types of inflammation from a number of medical conditions. Particularly in terms of arthritis, gout, and other rheumatic conditions, olives can be a major benefit and alleviate the associate pain.
- Digestion
Olives are a healthy source of fiber, supplying almost 20% of the daily requirements for fiber in a single cup. High fiber content ensures the proper functioning of your digestive system, because it stimulates peristaltic motion in the intestines, moving the bowel movements along and helping to keep you regular. Fiber also makes you feel full, so ghrelin, the hunger hormone, doesn’t get released, and therefore, overeating is eliminated. Not only can fiber increase your digestive and gastrointestinal health, it can also help you lose weight.
- Blood Circulation
Olives are rich sources of both iron and copper, two essential components for the creation of red blood cells. Without these two minerals, red blood cell count in the body will diminish, resulting in anemia, which is characterized by fatigue, upset stomachs, headaches, cognitive malfunction, and general decline of organ health and functionality.
- Antibacterial Qualities
Oleuropein, that valuable chemical component of olives, also functions as an antimicrobial and antibacterial booster in the body. Eating plenty of olives increases the presence of this chemical, which defends against bacterial infections throughout the body, both internally and externally.
There are many different species of olives, and some may have more or less of the important components that add to personal health, but they all possess certain elements that make them irreplaceable in a healthy diet. They are best when added to salads, sandwiches, or eaten as a salty snack or appetizer. Their oil is used in countless recipes, and the olive trees are sources of rich extracted oil and high-quality wood for construction.Olives are generally an extremely healthy food, however, there are some seasonal allergies associated with olive tree pollen. Also, consider the potent acids and organic compounds in olives and olive oil, it is not recommended to eat too many olives while pregnant or breastfeeding. Finally, olives do contain high levels of sodium, so if you already suffer from high blood pressure or related cardiovascular conditions it should be avoided.