Olives: properties and benefits

Considered one of the pillars of the Mediterranean diet, the olive is one of the most prevalent foods in Spanish cuisine. Besides being delicious, both as a fruit and for the juice extracted from it, it contains multiple nutritional properties beneficial to health.

With more than 250 different varieties, each with its own characteristics, at Olivarte, we want to review the main properties of the olive so that you can understand all the benefits this food can provide when included in your diet.

First of all, what is an olive?

The olive is the fruit of the olive tree, which is mainly grown in the Andalusian region. It is characterized by its small size and oval shape, although its size, color, and flavor can vary depending on the variety, as well as the degree of ripeness and processing method.

We know it's a food, but, what is an olive, a fruit or a vegetable?

The olive is classified as a fruit, specifically as a stone fruit, because it contains a seed or pit inside.

Now that we know what type of food an olive is, let's take a look at its main benefits.

The main benefits and properties of olives that you should know about

Thanks to its unique nutritional composition, the benefits of olives are varied, and among them, we highlight the following:

They are rich in vitamins and minerals

Olives are a great source of essential vitamins and minerals, including:

Vitamin A: essential for maintaining healthy skin, providing luminosity and elasticity.
Vitamin E: found in the tocopherols of olives, this vitamin is an antioxidant compound that prevents the oxidation of lipoproteins, which are responsible for transporting cholesterol and other substances.
Iron: this mineral is fundamental for the formation of hemoglobin and the transportation of oxygen in the blood.
Calcium: crucial for healthy bones and muscle function.
Potassium: helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance in the human body.

All these minerals and vitamins make the consumption of olives help keep the body healthy for longer, delaying its deterioration due to aging.

They contain healthy fats

Olives are rich in oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated and healthy fat that is one of the main properties of green olives.

Monounsaturated oleic acid protects the cardiovascular system, helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases by reducing blood pressure and bad cholesterol, while promoting the increase of good cholesterol.

They boost the immune system

Olives contain a high antioxidant activity that strengthens the immune system, helping to prevent the onset and development of various diseases by improving the body's ability to defend itself against them.

Antioxidants are essential for protecting the body from free radical damage, as well as for preventing oxidative stress.

Source of fiber

Olives are rich in fiber and, therefore, promote good digestive function, preventing or improving constipation and stomach discomfort.

Additionally, adequate consumption of olives will also help you maintain a healthy weight, preventing overweight and reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, or some types of cancer, as they have a low glycemic index.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil, the best ally to enjoy the benefits of olives

Obtained from green olives freshly picked at their exact point of ripeness, only through mechanical processes, extra virgin olive oil is the natural juice of the highest quality olives, produced in mills, meeting a series of established requirements.

Considered the healthiest, highest quality, and most versatile oil in the world, EVOO encapsulates all the benefits of the olive in its purest and most nutritious form, so, besides having an irresistible flavor, its consumption will improve your cardiovascular and digestive health.

At Olivarte, we offer a wide catalog of EVOO of the highest quality made with different olive varieties, making each oil unique in taste and aroma, all highly beneficial to health, especially when consumed raw.

With options for every taste, we offer more bitter and intense EVOOs like the Picual variety or, if you prefer a milder flavor, for example, the Arbequina EVOO, which is characterized by being a softer, sweeter variety, with no bitterness and a slight spicy touch.

We encourage you to try our Spanish EVOOs and enjoy the properties of the olive at its finest. Simply place your order from anywhere in the Peninsula, and within 24 to 48 hours, you will receive it at your doorstep.