{ Lifestyle } Health Benefits of Olives

I know Olives, can be an acquired taste but they are oh so healthy for you! Personally, I love olives and can sit and merrily munch away on them! Not only do they taste delicious, but do you know the Health Benefits of Olives?

Health Benefits of Olives

One of our goals for 2014, as a family, is to lead a healthier lifestyle, by exercising regularly and eating a healthy balanced diet! We also try to incorporate as many Superfoods in our diet as possible, which include Olives and Olive Oil.

Health Benefits of Olives

If you are unsure about exactly what the health benefits of eating Olives are – then here are a few you may be interested in:

Olives eliminate excess cholesterol in the blood and help control blood pressure.
They are an excellent source of dietary fibre, as an alternative to other fruits and vegetables.
Extra Virgin Olive Oil is rich in Vitamins E, A, D and K. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells.
Eating olives can help reduce the effects of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, benign and malignant tumours, including less severe varicose veins and cavities. They also help prevent blood clots that could lead to a myocardial infarction or deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
Eating olives help protect cell membranes against diseases like cancer and are an excellent protection against anaemia.
Eating olives can enhance fertility and reproductive system, and just in case these benefits weren’t enough they are also a great aphrodisiac!

Interesting Fact:

By eating just ten olives before a meal, you can reduce your appetite by up to 20%. This is due to the monounsaturated fatty acids contained in olives, which slow down the digestion process and stimulate the hormone cholecystokinin. This hormone sends a message to the brain, to tell you that you are full. Eating olives also help your body to stimulate the production of adiponectin, a chemical which burns fat for up to five hours after ingestion.

Beauty Benefits

So those are a few health benefits – well what about the beauty benefits?

Did you know that eating olives can improve the appearance of wrinkles by 20 percent? Olives contain oleic acid, which keeps skin soft and healthy. Olive oil is also a fantastic home beauty treatment. You can use Olive Oil in your bath to soften and moisturise your skin, or if you are without conventional beauty products, you can use Olive oil to remove your make up.

Olive oil is also great as a hair treatment, mix 2 table spoons of olive oil and one teaspoon of lemon juice to create a hair mask. Leave on your hair for 15 minutes, then shampoo and condition as normal.

For more information on Olives and the Olive Industry in South Africa visit the SA Olive Website.