The benefits and harms of olives for the human body

Very little is known about the time and place of origin of this tree, symbolizing wisdom, nobility and maturity, but scientists suggest that delicious olives spread throughout the world from tropical Africa. The olive tree can exist for about 2 thousand years, and the first trees, according to archaeologists, appeared 37 thousand years ago.

Today, this cultural form is grown in the countries of Asia Minor, South and North America, East Asia, the Mediterranean, North-West Africa and Australia, and the benefits and harms of olives, which have been discussed for more than one century, have been studied quite well by modern specialists. They are a great addition to cooking, adding a special flavor to dishes. But what is so special about this product and can it be dangerous to human health?

The benefits of olives

• They are rich in useful ingredients that are effective for a variety of diets. Just 100 grams of olives contain a whopping 2,6 grams of fiber. Also, these fruits boast an abundance of calcium, magnesium and polyphenols, which are essential for the full functioning of the human body. Oleic acid is one of the main ingredients in olives, which allows olives to be included in an abundance of wellness diets. One has only to take into account that 25 grams of fruit contains as much as 37 kilocalories, therefore, to be effective, they must be eaten in strictly limited quantities;
• Supports the tone of the body of people who lead an active lifestyle. By consuming only 7 or a little more olives every day, athletes will be able to achieve the desired results much faster, since such an amount of the product allows the body to be saturated with all the necessary components and recharge with energy for the whole day;
• Provides the full development of the growing body of the child. Due to the content of linoleic acid in olives in the same amount as in breast milk, they are recommended for use for young children, as they have a positive effect on the formation of the nervous system. It should be noted the benefits of these fruits for the elderly, as they saturate their bodies with calcium, from which this element is washed out with age, which leads to diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• Increases sex drive. Olives – a well-known natural aphrodisiac, recommended for men of age suffering from impotence, weakening of erection and other urological diseases;
• Olive oil is absorbed by the body by 98 percent. Olive oil improves the general well-being of a person, especially the first cold pressed oil. Due to the content of palmitic, stearic and oleic acids in the oil, this product can be used to remove harmful cholesterol from the blood, as well as to rejuvenate the body. According to numerous studies, scientists have concluded that healthy fats and antioxidants are successfully combined in olives, thanks to which regular intake of these fruits helps to prevent breast cancer in women, the development of malignant tumors of the intestines and skin;
• Improves the condition of the digestive system. The benefits of olive oil can be noted in its restorative effect on the gastric mucosa, the ability to stimulate the functioning of the biliary tract and relieve constipation, including chronic ones. Also, the fruits of the olive tree improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, remove toxic substances and toxins from the body and relieve edema due to the diuretic and choleretic effect, increase the peristalsis of the intestinal walls;
• They have a wound healing effect when applied externally. For this, it is recommended to use the same olive oil, with which you can lubricate abrasions, eczema, insect bites, burns and bruises, accelerating their healing;
• Prevents premature aging of the body. The abundance of vitamins that make up olives explains their ability to renew cells and prevent the aging process of the body, maintain the elasticity and natural color of the skin, youth and beauty for many years. This property of the fruit ensures the presence of vitamins A, C and E in their composition, which are antioxidants that neutralize the activity of free radicals that destroy our body, and also regenerate cells, slow down the aging process of internal organs and tissues;
• Prevent eye diseases. Adequate intake of vitamin A into the body due to the regular use of olives not only helps to maintain youth, but also prevents the development of diseases of the visual organs;
• Strengthens the skeletal system. As we mentioned earlier, olives contain calcium, which is very good for people of age, suffering from a lack of it and, as a result, subject to fragility of bones and joint diseases. This trace element is no less important for children in whom the skeletal system is actively forming. It is worth noting that these fruits also contain vitamins A, D, E and K, which improve the absorption of calcium by the bone tissue and contribute to the deposition of minerals on it. Olives are very quickly absorbed by the body and help to activate vital vitamins and minerals that prevent the development of such serious diseases as osteoporosis. That is why the fruits of the olive tree play an important role in the prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
• Reduces the risks of diseases of the cardiovascular system. Olives contain a huge amount of monounsaturated fats, which do not contain cholesterol. That is why regular consumption of fruits not only does not raise blood cholesterol levels, but also maintains its optimal amount. This product is also rich in linoleic acid, which is very useful for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. In medical experiments, it was observed that people who consumed 2 tablespoons of natural olive oil daily for a week reduced their low-density cholesterol levels and increased antioxidant levels. And antioxidant substances are essential for our blood, as they destroy free radicals that destroy cells in the human body. Therefore, olives are often recommended for the prevention of atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, high blood pressure and other diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• Protects the body from developing cancer. Several years ago, statistics were published in the medical journal The Archives of Internal Medicine that women who added monounsaturated omega-6 fatty acids to their daily diet were significantly less likely to experience breast cancer. Another recent study by doctors at Oxford University proved that olive oil improves the condition of the gastrointestinal tract and protects it from the development of cancer. This is because the fruit oil chemically interacts with stomach acids, preventing the formation and multiplication of cancer cells, and also reduces the level of bile acid and increases the amount of the enzyme diamine oxidase, controlling the presence of cancer cells in the body. In addition, olive oil contains beta-cysterol fat, which strengthens the intercellular communication system, which is responsible for cell division, which helps to neutralize the multiplication of cancer cells even before they begin to grow and divide. Beta-cisterol is an excellent substance for the prevention of prostate cancer;
• Due to its low acidity, it improves the absorption of fats and salts by the stomach.

The harm of olives

Undoubtedly, olives are the most useful fruits, but, like most other products, they have some contraindications for use that you should know about.

• Contains a lot of calories. Olives are considered dietary fruits, but high in calories. Just 100 grams of the product contains a whopping 166 kilocalories. For this reason, experts recommend not to abuse the intake of olives for people who are overweight, and adhere to strict restrictions;
• Dangerous for people with cholecystitis. Doctors explain this by the fact that the use of fruits activates the choleretic effect, so they are not recommended for patients with such a diagnosis;
• Contains excessive amounts of retinol. Because of this, it is recommended not to get carried away with this delicacy, not only for sick, but also for healthy people, since an excess of retinol in the body provokes poisoning;
• Canned olives contain a high concentration of table salt.

The benefits and harms of olives lie in their rich composition, which provides them with a wide range of uses. The correct use of these fruits guarantees you protection from cancer, good condition of the skin and hair, normal functioning of the digestive tract and excellent health, but for this it is worth adhering to the daily norm and contraindications to the intake of olives.

Nutritional value and chemical composition of Olives

How to choose and store olives

In order for canned olives to bring only benefits and not cause harm, it is necessary to purchase fruits that do not contain additives E. Therefore, you should carefully study the label. It is best to choose glass jars so that you can see the contents. Real olives are unevenly colored, have spots of different shades, and processed fruits are characterized by a uniform deep color.

The canned product retains its properties for 2-3 years. After opening, it can be stored for no more than 3 days. Do not remove the fruits from the brine, which will lead to a loss of taste. If they were in a tin, then they need to be transferred to ceramic or glassware. The inner surface of the tin container is oxidized, resulting in the formation of harmful substances.

Eat delicious fruits regularly, and you will soon find out for yourself how useful olives are: your health will improve markedly, and you will acquire a “blooming” appearance. To provide the body with the substances it needs, it is enough to eat 7-10 fruits a day.

Video about the benefits and harms of olives