SEMARANG CITY – After knowing the content of olives, here are a series of benefits of olives that you can feel.
1. Natural Antioxidants
It is believed that food antioxidants can reduce the risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and cancer. The advantages of these antioxidants can also be found in olives. In addition, olives are also useful for fighting inflammation and suppressing the growth of microorganisms.
A study explains that consumption of olive pulp residue can increase blood levels of glutathione as one of the most powerful antioxidants in the body because of its ability to recycle antioxidants.
Polyphenol antioxidants in olives also have a myriad of benefits in preventing cancer, diabetes, premature aging, and neuroprotection. The antioxidant benefits of olives spread throughout the body system and this is a useful factor for disease prevention and recovery.
2. Lowers Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
Because olives contain good fats, they won’t have the damaging effect on the arterial system as other fats do.
Several studies also explain that olives have the ability to lower blood pressure and help regulate and lower cholesterol. The oleic acid present in olives has a role in providing a hypotensive effect (lowering blood pressure).
The benefits of olives have been tested in studies that tested participants who consumed olives and processed oils as well as a Mediterranean menu that relied on olives as the main ingredient. After consumption, there was found a significant reduction in blood pressure and overall cardiovascular inflammation.
3. Has Strong Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Olives have high amounts of polyphenols and monounsaturated fatty acids along with several vitamins. These elements can fight inflammation and other related diseases.
There is also oleocanthal which is a key compound that has great anti-inflammatory properties to make it easier for the body to recover from pain. This compound works by inhibiting the production of enzymes that cause inflammation. Olives also provide a natural effect similar to the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen.
4. Supports Bone Health
Research shows that the polyphenols in olives can prevent bone loss. This condition can be prevented by improving bone health and increasing the number of osteoblasts. Osteoblasts are cells that produce matrix for bone formation.
Olives also store another powerful antioxidant called hydroxytyrosol. These antioxidants have involvement in bone formation. It also plays an important role in strengthening and helping relieve symptoms of osteoporosis. You can take Nutri-well Vitamin D3 1000 IU – Food Supplement (Rp. 140,644) as a supplement containing olive oil which is able to maintain bone health.
5. Supports Intestinal Health
Olives are a source of probiotics which can maintain digestive health. Fermented olives store quite a lot of friendly lactobacillus bacteria for the intestines. In addition, the presence of phenolic compounds in olives can prevent the growth of pylori. These are the bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.
Data from the European Journal of Nutrition shows that phenolic compounds can increase bifidobacteria. It is a group of bacteria that make up vitamins and chemicals with anti-bacterial properties in the body. Hence, olives can improve gut health and microbiome function (microbial community).
6. Helps Fight Infections
Several studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of olives in fighting certain microbial, viral and fungal infections. Both the olive fruit and its leaf extract have long been used in traditional medicine and have now been confirmed in these studies.
The tested olive fruit extract showed inhibition of the growth of viruses, fungi and bacteria that infect the body.
7. Good for Skin Health
benefits-of-olives
In addition to being mentioned in the Qur’an, the use of olives was also mentioned in the Prophet’s hadith from the narration of At-Tirmidhi. The authentic hadith mentions when olive oil can be used for hair and skin.
A cosmetic chemist stated that olive oil is effective in moisturizing the skin by hydrating it. In addition, the antioxidants in olives can also protect skin cells from harmful substances from the environment and inflammation.
The protection above indicates the excess antioxidants in olives to suppress premature aging as well as signs of irritation and redness on the skin. Early aging can also be overcome by the vitamin content in olives which controls free radicals in the body.
The goodness of olives for the skin does not end there. The anti-inflammatory properties of olives can also be used to heal wounds.
The triterpenes found in various plant oils, including olive, can help with various biological reactions that are useful for healing wounds. This compound enhances the healing reaction and speeds up the time the wound closes.
8. Reducing the Risk of Diabetes and Obesity
Because olive oil stores high monounsaturated fat, this fruit is very good at reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Antioxidants in olives can also inhibit damage from oxidative stress related to diabetes. Therefore, olives can be an effective treatment for high blood sugar and diabetes complications.
A test was conducted on participants with obesity problems aged 60 and over. From the test results, it was found that the group that was given olive oil as a substitute for other oils experienced a decrease in blood pressure, an increase in good cholesterol, and health benefits related to the immune system. The reaction of this condition is certainly a good thing for obese people.
9. Improves Brain Health
The composition of vitamin E in olives is abundant and this provides an increase in cognitive performance. This vitamin can also protect cells from oxidative stress which keeps the brain from being vulnerable to cell damage. Consumption of olives is also associated with a lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s.
10. Prevent Cancer
Olives have the potential to reduce the risk of developing cancer. This is due to the high antioxidants of olives and the oleic acid they contain.
A study explains that these two components dampen the life cycle of cancer cells found in the intestine, stomach and breast.
