Olive trees were used in construction as well as fuel, and the fruit and the olive oil continue to be one of the oldest remedies known to man.
One of the oldest and healthiest foods known to man, are olives. This fruit is grown all over the world and it was consumed and traded even in the ancient Mediterranean. Believe it or not, olive oil was produced 5000 years before Christ. Olive trees were used for construction as well as fuel, and the fruit and the olive oil continue to be one of the oldest remedies known to man. We bring you ten reasons why you should consume as many olives as you can.
Oleic acid
The olives contain oleic acid, which is consisted of 75 percent fats. These are monounsaturated fats which help in reducing blood cholesterol levels. They help in keeping the bone and bone marrow healthy. In addition, they are excellent oxidation inhibitors, and maintain the metabolism balanced.
Copper
A cup of black olive provides you with 38% daily income of copper. This metal is crucial for building a strong tissue, maintaining the blood volume as well as for energy production in cells. The human body needs it for production of collagen. In addition, it is the main structural protein in the body that acts as an antioxidant.
Iron
Believe it or not, a cup of black olives will give you a quarter of your daily iron requirements. Olives are the richest foods with iron. Iron is found in hemoglobin which is found within the red blood cells. It is extremely important for the transport of oxygen throughout the body. If you’ve ever wondered how your body produces a magnetic field that affects your biological health, it is due to the iron.
Weight Loss
When replacing saturated fat, it is shown that olive oil reduces insulin resistance and helps in dissolving fats in the fat cells. Flavored extracts in olive oil gives a greater sense of satiety.
Cancer prevention
With an abundance of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory acids, olives contain squalene and terpenoids, two compounds that neutralize harmful effects of free radicals in the body.
Heart Health
Olive oil contains bio phenol that reduces blood pressure and stimulates the synthesis of low-density lipoprotein. The lipoproteins are known as bad cholesterol, and bio phenol prevents hardening of the arteries. (which leads to atherosclerosis).
Pain reduction
The compound within the olive trees, called oleocanthal, has significant anti-inflammatory properties similar to ibuprofen. Although structurally different from ibuprofen, both prevent inflammations.
Prevention of ulcers
Helicobacter pylorus is a bacterium that is found in stomach acid and is the main culprit for causing ulcers. As it developed resistance to some antibiotics, some investigations of the anti-antibiotics worldwide have proved that olives are great fighters against these bacteria. Phenol olive oil can destroy eight layers of the mentioned bacteria. In addition, it prevents stomach cancer, and also prevents stomach ulcers.
Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and fibers
Olive is rich in nutrients, and there are also numerous vitamins that help in improving the eyesight and digestion. Furthermore these vitamins that are found in olives are excellent in maintaining healthy skin and hair.
They have excellent taste
Above all olives have a great taste. You can put them in salads, on bread, on pizza, in the martinis. Their mild flavor is the reason why they are used in restaurants around the world.
