Kalamata olives are a type of Mediterranean olives that are well-known for their distinct dark color, meaty texture, and rich flavor. In addition to being a tasty snack or ingredient in various dishes, Kalamata olives are also highly nutritious and offer numerous health benefits.
These olives are a rich source of antioxidants, healthy fats, and anti-inflammatory compounds, making them beneficial for heart health, brain health, immune function, and digestive health. They also contain essential nutrients like vitamin E, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.
In this context, this article will explore the health benefits of eating Kalamata olives in detail and discuss how they can be incorporated into a healthy diet.
# Protection Against CancerAntioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in kalamata olives protect our cells from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of several cancers like colon cancer, abdominal cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer, etc.
Free radicals are the unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from the neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.Kalamata olives contain hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol that makes the antioxidantal potential of kalamata olives to be ten times more powerful than green tea.
# Promotes Weight LossModerate consumption of kalamata olives is good for weight loss.Eating 10 small-sized kalamata olives give 60 calories of energy.
Dietary fibers in kalamata olives provide stomach satiety, controls our urge to eat again and again, and thus controls overeating which is a prime cause of obesity.
Kalamata olives provide antioxidantal enzymes to the adipose tissues (fat) of the body and help with lipid breakdown and unnecessary weight gain. Although kalamata olives are rich in fat it is mostly monosaturated fat that promotes weight loss, reduces inflammation, and improves cardiovascular health.
# Prevent Neurodegenerative DisordersKalamata olives improve our neurological health and are good for the brain.Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in the kalamata olives protects the neurons or the brain cells from free radical damage, and thus minimizes the risk of various neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, amnesia, and dementia, etc.
Other nutrients like iron, potassium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, etc in the kalamata olives also contribute to neurological health as they provide several cognitive benefits like a sharper memory, better focus, improved concentration, and reduced mental confusion, etc.
# Manages Cholesterol LevelDietary fibers in kalamata olives reduce LDL cholesterol in the body and minimize the risk of atherosclerosis.Atherosclerosis is a condition that leads to hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls and is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
The monosaturated fats in the kalamata olives increase HDL cholesterol in the body and benefit our cardiovascular health.Phytonutrients and polyphenols in the kalamata olives also play a significant role in cholesterol management.
# Improves Cardiovascular HealthKalamata olives improve our cardiovascular health.Antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients and polyphenols, etc in kalamata olives protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage and improves its efficiency.Dietary fibers in kalamata olives reduce LDL cholesterol and thus minimizes the risk of atherosclerosis which is a leading cause of several cardiovascular problems.
Sodium present in the kalamata olives is an essential electrolyte that maintains water balance in and around the cells.When consumed in moderation, sodium minimizes the risk of hypotension.
# Improves Digestive HealthAntioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin A and antioxidantal compounds like phytonutrients, polyphenols, and flavonoids, etc in kalamata olives protect our digestive system from free radical damage and minimizes the risk of colon cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and stomach cancer, etc.
The laxative properties of dietary fibers in kalamata olives improve bowel movement, aids in stool elimination, and thus relieve constipation and other gastrointestinal issues like abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating and flatulence, etc.