The health benefits and benefits of olives

Today, olive oil is cultivated everywhere, and there are certain reasons for this. Olives and natural oils contain a huge variety of fats and vitamins. The olive branch has always been considered a symbol of peace and good intentions. The rulers of the ancient states brought it to their neighbors as a sign of the offer of friendship and cooperation. In addition, a sprig of olive always adorned the heads of Olympic champions, which symbolized honest sports between countries.

An evergreen olive tree can grow for thousands of years, but the crop gives only 10-20 years after planting. Olive fruits can be of various sizes and colors - from dark green to yellow and even burgundy. Color depends on the variety of olives and the degree of ripening of the fruit. Large olives are valued much more - the fewer olives per kilogram of product, the higher the price you can ask for the product. Fresh olives do not eat - they have a characteristic bitter taste. This bitterness is removed in various ways - pickled olives, treated with oxygen. It is surprising that after such treatments, the olive does not lose its useful properties, it can be stored for a very long time. It is all about the oil juice of olive fruits - it is a natural preservative. To uncover the true benefits of olives, we’ll talk about how fruits affect the body’s functioning, consider contraindications for taking olives and learn how to eat olives in order to get the most benefit from them.

Useful properties of olives for the human body

Many people wonder - how do olives differ from olives? In fact, this is essentially the same thing. First, the olives acquire a mint green hue. They are manually collected and subjected to special processing - as a rule, they are lowered into a solution of caustic soda to get rid of the characteristic bitterness. After that, olives turn black, they are called olives only in the post-Soviet space, in the rest of the world olive is black and green fruit. But sometimes green olives are left to ripen on a tree - if they are later going to make oil from them. Black olives are softer and more oily.

The oil composition of the olive gently lines the walls of the stomach, relieving inflammation and irritation. If you eat 3-4 olives before each meal, you can completely get rid of signs of gastritis and ulcers.

A large number of B vitamins makes the product indispensable for the nervous system. After a couple of weeks of regular consumption of olives, you will notice that you have begun to sleep better, anxiety and insomnia have passed, you have become more stress resistant.

Calcium in olives makes bones, nails and teeth stronger; this is an excellent prevention of osteoporosis.

The composition of olives has folic acid, which is so necessary in the early stages of pregnancy.Folic acid reduces the risk of developing fetal neural tube defects, so olives should be consumed before the planned pregnancy and in the early stages of its course.

The product is very useful for the work of the gallbladder, is able to remove small stones.

Polyphenols in olives prevent blood clots, thin the blood.

A sufficient amount of potassium ensures excellent functioning of the cardiovascular system. With regular intake of olives, blood cholesterol level decreases, blood pressure normalizes.

According to scientists, olive oil with regular consumption reduces the risk of developing diabetes by 20%.

It was found that the fruits of olives are able to fight some types of cancer. In the skin of olives there are special acids that protect a person from colon cancer. Polyphenols reduce the risk of developing breast cancer. And squalene in the composition of olives slows down the reproduction of any cancer cells.

Vitamins C and E have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system. Olives relieve inflammation and help get rid of joint pain with arthritis, gout and osteochondrosis. In addition, increased consumption of olives helps to recover from injuries and sprains much faster.

Olives as a whole have a very positive effect on the state of the body - they tone it up, relieve drowsiness and loss of strength, give vigor for the whole day. But olives and olive oil are not always consumed only by mouth.

Outdoor use of olive oil

Everyone knows that olive oil is very beneficial for the body. But few people know that the product has pronounced bactericidal and antiseptic properties. Oil is often used in the fight against various wounds, cuts, abrasions. It softens the skin and stimulates it to regenerate. Olive oil can be used in the fight against scars and scars. But you shouldn’t lubricate the burns with oil - otherwise a thin greasy film will form on the surface, which prevents the access of oxygen to the wound.

Very often, olive oil is used in cosmetology. A large amount of vitamin E makes the product literally indispensable for the beauty of hair and skin. Olive oil perfectly fights dry and scorched hair, effectively in the fight against dry and cracked skin. Oil is used to restore hair after curling, dyeing and bleaching. The oil effectively moisturizes and supports aging skin, preventing premature aging. The bactericidal properties of the product allow the use of olive oil in the fight against acne and black spots.

Contraindications to the use of olives

Any food product has its useful properties, but only if you use it in moderation. At the same time, any product has its contraindications, and olives are no exception.

First of all, we must not forget that olives are quite high in calories. With their small consumption - not more than 5 pieces per day, olives are really useful for the figure - they accelerate metabolic processes, saturate the body with healthy fats. But if you use olives in large quantities, you can say goodbye to a slim figure.

People with kidney diseases and urolithiasis should better refuse olives - this can provoke the movement of stones.

Olives quite often can cause individual intolerance to the product. If you have nausea, vomiting or indigestion after consuming olives, you should discard them. Moreover, an allergy to olive oil can also be from its external use. When applied to the skin, a rash, redness, or swelling may appear.

The use of canned olives is very doubtful - they contain a lot of acid and salt.Sun dried olives are considered the most useful - they are dried in the shade and in the sun, getting rid of the characteristic bitter aftertaste and preserving their useful components. Pickled olives, as noted above, are not a valuable environmental product, as producers process olives with various chemicals. Remember that the blue shade of olives indicates the numerous chemical effects on the product. Olives can be eaten ready-made - they perfectly complement the taste of various salads, olives can be eaten with a side dish and even just eat with bread.

If you can’t get fresh and whole fruits of olives due to the geographical location, it is better to eat olive oil. It will give you a delicate taste of olive, and most importantly, retain in its composition all the useful and valuable components. Eat olives and fill with the strength and wisdom of the ancient Greek gods!

Video: how to choose olives and olives