Olives promote heart health , provide essential nutrients to support brain function, and help control weight.
Olives, a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, writes Pinkvilla . They are rich in monounsaturated fats, powerful antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
What are the health benefits of olives?
1. Good source of fiber. Olives contain a good source of dietary fiber, which helps improve digestion. Insoluble fiber helps significantly with constipation by acting as a laxative on the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, soluble dietary fiber acts as prebiotics, which provide nutrients to beneficial gut bacteria that are responsible for healthy digestion, boosting immunity, controlling blood sugar levels, and fighting pathogens within the gut.
2. Rich in probiotics. Olives are fermented through a natural lactic acid fermentation process, making them a rich source of probiotics. These bacteria improve gut health by maintaining the proper balance of digestive enzymes and preventing the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria in the intestines.
3. Rich in antioxidants. Olives have antioxidant properties due to their rich source of vitamin E and C, carotene and oleocanthal, a natural antioxidant that has properties similar to ibuprofen. Antioxidants neutralize cell damage from free radicals. Thus, eating olives may help slow down aging, reduce the risk of cancer, prevent liver damage, provide anti-inflammatory properties, and prevent age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease.
4. May improve heart health. Olives contain a good type of fat called monosaturated fatty acids in the form of oleic acid, polyphenols, vitamin E and lipid molecules that reduce inflammation as well as “bad” cholesterol.
5. May prevent cancer. Oleuropein, the most common antioxidant, inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
6. Treatment of cognitive diseases. The presence of oleocanthal in olives and olive oil is associated with a reduced likelihood of chronic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological diseases.
7. Improves skin and hair health. An experiment conducted to study the benefits of olives for the skin and hair of women has proven that they help moisturize and smooth the skin texture and can also prevent the appearance of pimples and acne scars. This is due to the presence of skin-healthy ingredients in olives, such as vitamins C, E and K, as well as fats.
Other news about the benefits of olives
The numerous health benefits of olives make them a valuable and delicious addition to any kitchen. This powerful nutritional complex is rich in monounsaturated fats, antioxidants and essential nutrients. They promote heart health. That is why doctors and nutritionists advise using the Mediterranean diet , which is rich in olives and olive oil.
