7 Health Benefits Of Eating Olives

We love the taste of olives, by themselves or added to most dishes, they have awesome flavor. What we really love about olives is that not only are they delicious to eat but they have some amazing benefits when consumed.

  1. Improves memory

Olives contain polyphenols, a natural chemical that reduces oxidative stress in the brain. Eating a daily serving of olives improves memory by 25% according to research from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

  1. Controls appetite

Eating 10 olives before meals reduced appetite by 22% according to studies in Italy. Olives contain monounsaturated fatty acids which slow down digestion and stimulate the hormone cholecystokinin, a hormone that sends messages of satiety to the brain. Moreover, these acids also stimulate the production of adiponectin, a chemical that burns fat for five hours after ingestion.

  1. Reduces wrinkles

Because Olives contain oleic acid, which keeps skin soft and healthy, eating olives daily can improve the appearance of wrinkles by 20%. In addition, olives contain vitamin E which is an excellent antioxidant for skin health.

  1. Enhances fertility and reproductive system

Olives have healthy fats, the fats are critical for manufacturing hormones and maintaining the reproductive health of both men and women, says Jeremy Groll, MD, author of Fertility Foods.

  1. Cancer Preventor

Olives contain a high amount of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory acids, as well as squalene and terpenoid, two compounds that work to neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals on the body’s cells.

  1. Acts as Anti-inflammatory

A compound within olives, called oleocanthal, has anti-inflammatory properties which inhibits an enzyme called cyclooxygenase and help prevent inflammation.

  1. Believed to be an Aphrodisiac

Green olives are believed to make men more virile.  While black olives are known for increasing a woman’s sex drive.

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Sources:
http://www.health24.com/Diet-and-nutrition/Healthy-foods/20-health-benefits-of-olives-20131218
http://healthyintuitions.blogspot.co.za/2014/08/health-benefits-of-olives-natural.html#.VfaiYRGqqko

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