The benefits and harm of olives for the health of the body

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

An evergreen olive tree can grow for thousands of years, but the crop yields 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 fruit ripening. Large olives are much more valuable - the less olives in a kilogram of product,the higher price you can ask for the goods. Fresh olives are not eaten - they have a characteristic bitter taste. This bitterness is removed in various ways - olives are pickled, treated with oxygen. Surprisingly, after such treatments, the olive does not lose its beneficial properties; it can be stored for a very long time. It's all about the oil juice of olive fruits - it is a natural preservative. To uncover the true benefits of olives, let's talk about how fruits affect the body's work, consider the contraindications for taking olives and learn how to eat olives in order to get the maximum benefit from them.

Useful properties of olives for the human body

Many wonder - what is the difference between olives and olives? In fact, this is essentially the same thing. First, the olives get a mint green tint. They are manually collected and subjected to special treatment - as a rule, they are dipped into caustic soda solution in order to get rid of the characteristic bitterness. After that, the olives become black, they are called olives only in the post-Soviet space, in the rest of the world the olive is both black and green fruit.But sometimes green olives are left to ripen on the tree - if they are then going to make oil from them. Black olives are softer and more oily.

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

A large amount 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 are getting better sleep, anxiety and insomnia have passed, you have become more stress-resistant.

Calcium in the composition of olives makes bones, nails and teeth stronger, it is an excellent prevention of osteoporosis.

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

The product is very useful for the work of the gallbladder, capable of removing small stones.

Polyphenols in the composition of olives prevent the formation of blood clots, thin the blood.

A sufficient amount of potassium ensures excellent cardiovascular function. With the regular intake of olives, the level of cholesterol in the blood decreases, blood pressure returns to normal.

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

It was found that the fruits of olives are able to fight some types of cancer.In the peel of olives there are special acids that protect people 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 work of the musculoskeletal system. Olives relieve inflammation and help get rid of joint pain in arthritis, gout and osteochondrosis. In addition, increased consumption of olives helps 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 sleepiness and fatigue, and give vigor all day long. But olives and olive oil are not always consumed only inside.

External 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 its regeneration. Olive oil can be used in the fight against scars and scars.But you should not lubricate burns with oil - otherwise a thin oily film forms on the surface, which prevents 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 combating dry and cracked skin. Oil is used to restore hair after curling, dyeing and bleaching. The oil effectively moisturizes and supports aging skin, preventing the processes of premature aging. 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 own beneficial properties, but only if it is used in moderation. At the same time, any product has its own contraindications, and olives are no exception.

First of all, we must not forget that olives are high in calories. With their low consumption - no more than 5 pieces per day, olives are really useful for the figure - they speed up the metabolic processes,saturate the body with healthy fats. But if you use olives in large quantities, with a slim figure, you can say goodbye.

People with kidney disease and urolithiasis from olives should be abandoned - this can provoke movement of stones.

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

The use of canned olives is quite doubtful - they contain a lot of acid and salt. The most useful are dried olives - they are dried in the shade and in the sun, getting rid of the characteristic bitter taste and retaining their beneficial components. Pickled olives, as noted above, are not a valuable ecological product, as producers process olives with various chemicals. Remember that the blue shade of olives indicates a numerous chemical effect 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 eaten with bread.

If you can not get fresh and whole fruits of olives because of your geographical location, it is better to eat olive oil. It will give you a delicate taste of olive, and most importantly, keep 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