We have talked about the health benefits of extra virgin olive oil on more than one occasion. Taking care of yourself with olive juice is relatively easy. It looks good everywhere!
Perhaps the properties of olives as a fruit are not so well known, whether as an accompaniment to all kinds of recipes, sauces or even as a snack… If you want to indulge yourself between meals, a few olives are a more than delicious solution. But what benefits do olives have for your health exactly? This article from Time magazine lists several.
1- The olive has a high nutrient density
The olive is one of the fruits with the highest density of nutrients that our body can use. In addition to being a source of monounsaturated fats, which benefit our cardiovascular system, they are also good for our brain. Now that neurofoods or brainfoods have become fashionable, there is no need to do much engineering: a tapa of olives. As delicious as it is intelligent.
2- Olives are rich in antioxidants
Olives are very rich in polyphenols and prevent oxidation and the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the arteries. Is this why olive trees live so long? We are not scientists, but you only have to look at the life expectancy in countries that grow olives. It is one of the highest in the world!
This property, however, is much more present in early harvest oils, such as Yo, Verde or MO Premium than in table olives.
3- Olives increase your resistance to diseases
These same polyphenols are wonderful compounds: they are also anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, so with a diet rich in olives and their juice, you will be less likely to contract diseases of bacterial origin and the inflammatory processes will be milder.
4- A 100% vegan fermented food
This virtue is probably very unknown and is just beginning to be spread. Let's put it in context: about two kilos of our body are entirely bacteria, mainly intestinal flora that helps us process certain nutrients and keep certain diseases at bay. That's why it's always a good idea to consume yogurt or other light fermented dairy products.
However, table olives are also fermented in order to be consumed. A freshly harvested olive has a very intense flavour and when they go through this fermentation, olives also contain bacteria that are beneficial for our body, so they are a great vegan alternative to dairy probiotics. However, keep in mind that most packaged olives are pasteurized, which means that there are no bacteria left in them. Always buy olives in bulk and you will be sure to have beneficial bacteria for your health.
5- They can help you quit salt
The big drawback of olives is their high salt content from fermentation. However, for Dr. David Katz, from the Center for Preventive Medicine at Yale University, this may be a way to end up reducing our salt intake. If a recipe calls for olives, simply leave out the salt and it will still be tasty, and if you usually eat salty snacks, eat olives instead. It's that easy!
We were surprised to learn about some of these benefits, but in reality, knowing the incredible properties of extra virgin olive oil, how could the fruit that produces it not be healthy?
