Olives are a wonderful fruit native to Mediterranean Europe. They are also cultivated in many other regions of the world nowadays. Some of these including North and South America, South Africa, China, India, Australia, and New Zealand. But olives’ health benefits tend to fly under the radar, as this fruit is mostly used for its flavor only.
Olives of different kinds are a staple of Mediterranean cuisine and a major export crop for Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Unarguably, the most popular sorts among Americans are black and green olives. These may be pitted and then sliced, used whole, or pressed into olive oil – the single most significant agrarian export from the Mediterranean countries.
1. Give your brain a boost
Your brain is 60 percent fat. Olives’ healthy fats are precisely what your brain needs to function better and more effectively, resulting in advantages like increased attention and sharper focus. Literal food for thought, right?
2. Keep blood pressure under control
“Fats are friends” is your new motto. At least the healthy type, like monounsaturated fats, which are found in olives and have been shown to decrease blood pressure and cholesterol.
3. Make your skin and hair softer
Olive oil is great for softening your skin and hair since it contains vitamin E. Make a mixture with mashed avocado and two teaspoons of olive oil for hair. Allow 30 minutes for it to remain on your hair before washing.
4. Combat inflammation
Olives are jam-packed with antioxidants, especially
oleuropein. This means that they are also high in anti-inflammatory compounds. Your body recovers quicker (and more efficiently) if you become less prone to inflammation.
5. Fortify the bones
From a very young age, we all learn how vital calcium is for bone maintenance. What we don’t typically learn is that olives also contain bone-strengthening properties. According to one investigation, individuals who ate a Mediterranean diet (with plenty of olives and olive oil) had greater numbers of osteoblasts, the bone-building cells in the body.
6. Take off your makeup
Use olive oil instead of store-bought makeup removers, which may contain irritating and dangerous chemicals. (Added bonus: it moisturizes your face.) Simply use a clean washcloth to wipe it over your face, then rinse.
7. Boost your circulation
Goodbye, sluggish circulation! Olives’
vitamin E prevents blood clots from forming, and their high iron content promotes improved blood flow throughout your body.
8. Boost your memory
Polyphenols, in a nutshell, are a naturally occurring substance found in olives that has been shown to enhance memory by decreasing brain stress. What’s better? Incorporating more olives or olive products into your diet may help reduce your risk of memory-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
9. Lower your cancer risk
Olives contain
oleocanthal, a chemical that has been proven in tests to destroy cancer cells. Other research has shown a connection between olive oil consumption and a lower risk of cancer, especially breast cancer.
10. Reduced risk of cognitive disorders
The antioxidant oleocanthal found in olives and olive oil has also been associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other brain disorders. This chemical also boosts the effectiveness of the dementia treatment medication
donepezil.
