They're even healthier than you would think.
The Mediterranean Diet is well renowned for its health
benefits. It has been discovered to aid in reducing inflammation, the
improvement of cognitive function, and the maintenance of a healthy heart.
Olives are one of the most popular Mediterranean Diet snacks, even though the
diet includes a wide variety of foods.
Olives are filled with health advantages, regardless of
whether you like them or not, which is why they are a staple in many healthy
eating plans.
1. You'll gain more healthy fats.
Olives are abundant in oleic acid, a healthy fat that
accounts for 74% of the fat in olives. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated lipid
that has anti-inflammatory properties.
Including more "good" fats in your diet, such
as monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, can improve your general health,
especially when replacing saturated and trans fats. Below, you'll find more
information about the health benefits of certain fats.
2. You may strengthen your brain function.
Increasing your consumption of excellent fatty acids will
help you improve your brain health and performance, one of the most important
benefits. According to Psychology Today, persons who consume a lot of
monounsaturated fats have higher amounts of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter
required for memory retention and learning.
Olives also contain phenolic chemicals that have been linked to the prevention
of age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's and dementia.
3. You'll get a healthy dose of fiber.
While olives and olive oil both have many health
benefits, one of the unique properties of olives is that they contain dietary
fiber! Three ounces of canned olives include about 3.2 grams of fiber, suitable
for a little snack.
Getting adequate fiber in your diet is one of the most
critical factors in maintaining a healthy heart, cholesterol levels, digestion,
and overall longevity. Olives can help you meet your fiber objectives.
4. You can lower your risk of cancer.
Olives and olive oil are famous in the Mediterranean
region, where cancer and other chronic diseases are less prevalent than in
other Western countries.
Olives may so aid in lowering your cancer risk.
This could be attributed partly to their potent
antioxidant and oleic acid content. These chemicals have been shown in test
tubes to interrupt the life cycle of cancer cells in the breast, colon, and
stomach.
Human studies, however, are required to corroborate these
findings. It is still unknown whether consuming olives or olive oil affects
cancer.
5. You can enhance your heart's health.
Olives are one of the best heart-healthy snacks you can
eat because they have a lot of monounsaturated fats. Monounsaturated fats were
found to help reduce the overall risk of mortality, stroke, and cardiovascular
disease among research participants, according to a report published in Lipids and health disease.
Monounsaturated fats can also help you maintain a healthy
heart by lowering "bad cholesterol" (LDL) and raising "good
cholesterol" (HDL).
6. Reduces Chances and Treatment of Cognitive Diseases
Olives and olive oil include oleocanthal, which has been
associated with a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease and other brain illnesses.
This chemical also makes the drug donepezil work better. Donepezil is used to
treat dementia.
7. Olive Can Enhance Bone Health
Osteoporosis is distinguished by decreased bone mass and
bone quality. It can raise your fracture risk.
In Mediterranean countries, osteoporosis is lower than in the rest of Europe,
leading to the belief that olives may protect against this ailment.
Animal studies indicate that some plant components in olives and olive oil can help
prevent bone loss.
Human research is limited, but animal studies and data associating the Mediterranean diet with a reduction in fracture incidence are encouraging.