Olives and olive oil have both been touted for their health benefits for centuries. One of the oldest cultivated plants in history, olives and their oil have been integral to the development of civilization due to their nutritional and medicinal benefits. Olive oil is also a potent health agent for the skin and was viewed in many cultures as a daily necessity, especially in Greece, where olives accompanied every meal and olive oil was used as a restorative for the body and skin. Ancient Olympic athletes used to cover their body with olive oil for protection from the hot Mediterranean sun. Here are some health benefits of olives that you can gain from eating olives directly or through the consumption of olive oil.

Nutritional Content – Olives are low calories snack foods that pack a wallop of a taste in a small package. Furthermore, there are a wide range of olives available for all tastes. Rich in iron, magnesium and fiber, olives make for great snacks and meal compliments. However, olives are cemented as health food due to the special oil contained within. This monounsaturated fat is unique among other types of fat due to its molecular make up. Olive oil, especially high quality extra virgin olive oil, is easily absorbed by the body. This means it is not only very lean compared to other oils but the nutrients and minerals of olive oil are more easily absorbed by the body, increasing nutrient retention.

Cardiovascular Protection – Olives and olive oil are high in HDL cholesterol. While cholesterol is usually seen as harmful, the body actually produces its own cholesterol for cellular growth and health. Harmful cholesterol is known as LDL and comes from saturated fats. HDL cholesterol is the type produced by the body and actually helps improve cardiovascular health, reducing a person’s risk for heart disease, heart attack and high blood pressure. This makes olive oil in particular a good heart health protector.

Diabetes – The fatty acids founds in olives and olive oil can help regulate blood sugar levels, moderating insulin sensitivity and helping people who have diabetes or sugar sensitivities from suffering radical spikes in their blood sugar.

Anti Inflammation – The same fatty acids in olives and olive oil act as natural anti inflammatory agents. This not only can help with joint pain and arthritis, conditions caused by swelling of the joints due to inflammation, but conditions stemming from inflamed airways, such as asthma, can also be helped with a regular intake of olive oil.

Antioxidants – Olive oil is rich in a number of potent antioxidants that help remove free roaming pathogens and toxins called free radicals. These particles often harm tissue by causing oxidation of cells, interfering with cell functioning and causing premature cell death. This leads to a number of conditions, mainly being behind many age related conditions, but free radicals are also major cancer contributors. The antioxidants found in olives and olive oil attack these free radicals and allow your body to expel them before they can harm health cells.