Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Olives can help reduce inflammation which is what makes them great for pain reduction, as we previously mentioned. This little fruit contains polyphenols which is what allows them to stop organ tissue damage before it happens, explains Good Housekeeping.
“Working them into your regular dietary repertoire will give your body more access to polyphenols, in particular, oleuropein, a chemical compound known for its powerful antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties,” writes MindBodyGreen.
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Improve Brain Health
We’ve already talked about how olives can reduce inflammation which is great for managing pain. It’s also good for our brains! Olives can help reduce “oxidative stress caused by inflammation, they also protect the tissues of vital organs (i.e. the brain!) from harmful and potentially irreversible damage,” writes Good Housekeeping.
They also contain vitamin E which is not only good for our eyes, but it’s been linked to “improved cognition and reduced risk of cognitive decline.” Diets that use a lot of olive oil as their main source of fat, like the Mediterranean diet, have been shown to lower a person’s risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
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Support Strong Bones
Remember when we said olives can protect us against osteoporosis? Well, now we’re gonna back that claim up! Healthline explains that osteoporosis is when our bone mass and quality decreases which puts us at a higher risk for fractures and breaks. Similar to cancer rates, Mediterranean countries have lower rates of osteoporosis than other parts of Europe which leads experts to believe that it has something to do with their diet.
The source also goes on to cite animal studies which have shown that “plant compounds found in olives and olive oil [can] help prevent bone loss,” writes Healthline. While there aren’t many human studies to further back this up, the data between the Mediterranean diet and osteoporosis rates are reassuring.