BMC Medicine : “Olive oil intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in PREDIMED Study.”
Health Benefits of Olives
Olives are the fruit of the olive tree, Olea europaea , meaning “European olive.” Olive trees are grown throughout the Mediterranean Basin as well as in South America, South Africa, India, China, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, and the United States.
Olives of various varieties are a main ingredient in Mediterranean dishes and a significant export crop for Spain, Italy, Greece, Turkey, and Morocco. The most common olives in the United States are green and black, though kalamata olives are also popular.
They are often sliced or used whole in recipes or pressed into olive oil , which is also a major agricultural export in the Mediterranean region.
Eating olives whole or using olive oil for certain meals may help protect against various health problems.
Benefits of Olives
The vitamins and antioxidants found in olives may provide important health benefits. For example, some studies have shown that olives may protect against osteoporosis , in which bones become brittle or weak.
Olives are also rich in vitamin E , which can improve skin health and help your immune system.
In addition, olives may provide health benefits like:
Numerous studies have shown that consuming olive oil, especially the extra-virgin variety, may reduce the risk of heart disease and death in people who have a high risk of this condition.
Cancer risk reduction
Olives contain the compound oleocanthal, which researchers have shown can kill cancer cells in petri dish experiments. Other studies in humans have shown a link between consuming olive oil and reducing the risk of cancers, including breast cancer .
Lower risk and treatment of cognitive diseases
The oleocanthal in olives and olive oil is also linked to a reduced risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other brain-related diseases. This compound also increases the activity of the drug donepezil, which is used to treat dementia .
Research shows a link between consuming olive oil and preventing type 2 diabetes by helping the body regulate glucose (sugar). Unregulated glucose can lead to the development of type 2 diabetes.
Reduce chronic inflammation
Chronic inflammation plays a key role in many diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis . Olives are packed with antioxidants, which have been shown to help with chronic inflammation.
Two kinds of antioxidants found in olives, hydroxytyrosol and oleanolic acid, have been effective in reducing inflammation in animals. Animal studies have also shown oleanolic acid’s health benefits in promoting liver health and regulating fat levels in their blood.
Are Olives Good for You?
Olives are rich in vitamin E and other antioxidants , which may help reduce the risk of health conditions like cancer , diabetes, stroke , and heart disease .
Olives also contain:
Nutrients per serving
Five large black, pitted olives contain:
- Calories: 25
- Protein : 0 grams
- Fat : 2 grams
- Carbohydrates : 1 gram
- Fiber : 0.4 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
Health risks of eating olives
Olives provide many health benefits, but they are still relatively high in fat. Canned olives are often packed in brine, which makes them high in sodium (salt). Just one green olive contains 62.4 milligrams of sodium, so salt content can add up quickly. The CDC estimates that 90% of American adults get too much sodium.
A high-sodium diet can contribute to cardiovascular (heart-related) disease. The CDC recommends that adults get less than 2,300 milligrams of sodium per day.
Fresh olives are a healthier choice if you are watching your sodium intake. Pay attention to portion sizes when eating canned olives, and make sure to balance your sodium intake by eating foods that are rich in potassium .
How to Prepare Olives
You can buy olives in many forms at most grocery stores. You can find them canned or bottled in a salt solution or water. You may be able to find fresh olives at a grocery or local Mediterranean specialty store.
Olives can be served whole, and often are when they make an appearance on a charcuterie board or cheese plate.
It is possible to extract the oil from olives to make your own olive oil, but this process is complex. If you want to try, you’ll need to gather several pieces of equipment:
- A millstone or another grinder
- An immersion blender
- A weight such as a brick or heavy book
- A clean surface for pressing
- Bottles
- A funnel
The basic steps include cold-pressing olives to extract the olive oil and then discarding the remainder. Cold-pressing allows you to extract oil without using heat, which leaves the oil as intact as possible.
Here are some other ways to use olives and olive oils in recipes:
- Drizzled on hummus
- As a cocktail garnish or ingredient
- As a salad dressing base
- To replace less healthy oils in baking recipes
- Chop up to use in a tapenade
- Slice and use as a pizza topping
- Add to pasta dishes
- Slice and use as a sandwich topping
- Stuff large olives with soft cheese and serve as an appetizer
Show Sources
BMC Medicine : “Olive oil intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality in PREDIMED Study.”
ESHA Research Inc.: “Olives, black, large, canned.”
Harvard Health Publishing: “High olive oil consumption linked to lower breast cancer risk,” “Salt and your health, Part I: The sodium connection.”
Harvard School of Public Health: “Vitamin E.”
HortScience : “Olive Oil: History, Production, and Characteristics of the World’s Classic Oils.”
Hunter College: “Hunter Study Shows That Certain Olive Oils Kill Cancer Cells.”
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health : “Olives and Bone: A Green Osteoporosis Prevention Option.”
Rutgers: “Ingredient in Olive Oil Looks Promising in Fight Against Cancer.”
Southeast AGNet Radio Network: “How to Make Your Own Olive Oil.”
Universities Space Research Association: “Olive Trees.”
University of Florida EDIS: “Health Benefits of Olive Oil and Olive Extracts.”
Yale School of Medicine: “Olive oil’s health benefits explored at Yale School of Public Health Symposium.”
Journal of Ethnopharmacology: “Pharmacology of oleanolic acid and ursolic acid.”
Olives 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits
Olives are small fruits that grow on olive trees (Olea europaea). They belong to a group of fruit called drupes, or stone fruits, and are related to mangoes, cherries, peaches, almonds, and pistachios.
Olives are very high in vitamin E and other powerful antioxidants. Studies show that they are good for the heart and may protect against osteoporosis and cancer.
The healthy fats in olives are extracted to produce olive oil, one of the key components of the incredibly healthy Mediterranean diet.
Olives are also enjoyed in salads, sandwiches, and spreads.
Some immature olives are green and turn black when they ripen. Others remain green even when fully ripe ( 1 ).
In the Mediterranean region, 90% of olives are used to make olive oil ( 2 ).
This article tells you everything you need to know about olives.
Olives contain 115–145 calories per 3.5 ounces (100 grams), or about 59 calories for 10 olives.
The nutrition facts for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of ripe, canned olives are ( 3 ):
Fat
Olives contain 11–15% fat, 74% percent of which is oleic acid, a type of monounsaturated fatty acid. It is the main component of olive oil.
Oleic acid is linked to several health benefits, including decreased inflammation and a reduced risk of heart disease. It may even help fight cancer ( 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ).
Carbs and fiber
Carbs comprise 4–6% of olives, making them a low-carb fruit.
Most of these carbs are fiber. In fact, fiber makes up 52–86% of the total carb content.
The net digestible carb content is therefore very low. However, olives are still a relatively poor source of fiber, since 10 olives only provide about 1.5 grams.
SUMMARY
Olives are an unusual fruit because of their high fat content. Their most abundant fat is oleic acid, which may have several health benefits. They also contain 4–6% carbs, most of which consists of fiber.
Olives are a good source of several vitamins and minerals, some of which are added during processing. This fruit’s beneficial compounds include:
- Vitamin E.High-fat plant foods usually contain high amounts of this powerful antioxidant.
- Iron. Black olives are a good source of iron, which is important for your red blood cells to transport oxygen ( 8 ).
- Copper. This essential mineral is often lacking in the typical Western diet. Copper deficiency may increase your risk of heart disease ( 9 , 10 ).
- Calcium. The most abundant mineral in your body, calcium is essential for bone, muscle, and nerve function. Some methods of olive processing add calcium to the fruit (11).
- Sodium. Most olives contain high amounts of sodium since they’re packaged in brine or saltwater.
SUMMARY
Olives are a good source of vitamin E, iron, copper, and calcium. They may also contain high amounts of sodium if packaged in saltwater.
Olives are rich in many plant compounds, particularly antioxidants, including ( 12 ):
- Oleuropein. This is the most abundant antioxidant in fresh, unripe olives. It is linked to many health benefits ( 13 ).
- Hydroxytyrosol. During olive ripening, oleuropein is broken down into hydroxytyrosol. It is also a powerful antioxidant ( 14 , 15 ).
- Tyrosol. Most prevalent in olive oil, this antioxidant may have anti-cancer effects ( 16 , 17 ).
- Oleanolic acid. This antioxidant may help prevent liver damage and reduce inflammation ( 18 , 19 ).
- Quercetin. This nutrient may lower blood pressure and improve heart health ( 20 ).
SUMMARY
Olives are particularly rich in antioxidants, including oleuropein, hydroxytyrosol, tyrosol, oleanolic acid, and quercetin.
The most common varieties of whole olives are:
- Spanish green olives, pickled
- Greek black olives, raw
- California olives, ripened with oxidation, then pickled
Because olives are very bitter, they’re not usually eaten fresh. Instead, they’re cured and fermented. This process reduces bitter compounds like oleuropein, which are most abundant in unripe olives.
Fermentation processes may also reduce cholesterol levels and increase beneficial bacteria in the final product ( 21 ).
However, there are some varieties that don’t need processing and can be consumed when fully ripe.
Processing olives may take anywhere from a few days up to a few months depending on the method used. Processing methods often rely on local traditions, which affect the fruit’s taste, color, and texture (11).
Lactic acid is also important during fermentation. It acts as a natural preservative that protects the olives from harmful bacteria.
Currently, scientists are studying whether fermented olives have probiotic effects. This could lead to improved digestive health ( 21 ).
SUMMARY
Fresh olives are very bitter and usually need to be cured and fermented before eating.
Olives are a staple of the Mediterranean diet. They’re associated with many health benefits, especially for heart health and cancer prevention.
Antioxidant properties
Dietary antioxidants have been shown to reduce your risk of chronic illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer.
Olives are rich in antioxidants, with health benefits ranging from fighting inflammation to reducing microorganism growth ( 22 ).
One older 2009 study showed that eating a pulpy residue from olives significantly increased blood levels of glutathione, one of the most powerful antioxidants in your body ( 23 , 24 ).
Improved heart health
High blood cholesterol and blood pressure are both risk factors for heart disease.
Oleic acid, the main fatty acid in olives, is associated with improved heart health. It may regulate cholesterol levels and protect LDL (bad) cholesterol from oxidation, though some experts say more evidence is needed ( 1 , 25 , 26).
Furthermore, some studies note that olives and olive oil may reduce blood pressure ( 27 , 28 ).
Improved bone health
Osteoporosis is characterized by decreased bone mass and bone quality. It can increase your risk of fractures.
The rates of osteoporosis are lower in Mediterranean countries than in the rest of Europe, leading to speculation that olives might protect against this condition ( 29 ).
Some of the plant compounds found in olives and olive oil have been shown to help prevent bone loss in animal and test-tube studies ( 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ).
In addition, observational studies suggest that following a Mediterranean diet may reduce the risk of bone fractures ( 33 ).
Cancer prevention
Olives and olive oil are commonly consumed in the Mediterranean region, where rates of cancer and other chronic diseases are lower than in other Western countries ( 34 ).
Thus, it’s possible that olives may help reduce your risk of cancer.
This may be partly due to their high antioxidant and oleic acid contents. Observational and test-tube studies reveal that these compounds disrupt the life cycle of cancer cells in the breast, colon, and stomach ( 6 , 7 35 , 36 , 37 ).
However, long-term, controlled human studies are needed to confirm these results. At this point, it’s unclear whether eating olives or olive oil leads to lower cancer rates.
SUMMARY
Olives are very rich in antioxidants that may contribute to a variety of benefits, such as lower cholesterol and blood pressure. They may also reduce your risk of cancer and bone loss, but more research is necessary.
Olives are well tolerated by most people but may harbor high amounts of salt due to their packaging liquid.
Allergy
While allergy to olive tree pollen is common, allergy to olives is rare.
After eating olives, sensitive individuals may experience allergic reactions in the mouth or throat ( 38 ).
Acrylamide
Acrylamide is linked to an increased risk of cancer in some studies, although other scientists question the connection ( 39 ).
Some people choose to limit their acrylamide intake as much as possible ( 40 ).
Some olive varieties – especially ripe black olives – may contain high amounts of acrylamide as a result of processing ( 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 ). Olive producers are investigating ways to reduce the amount of acrylamide that forms during processing.
SUMMARY
Olives are usually well tolerated, and allergy is rare. However, they may contain high concentrations of salt. Some varieties may contain higher amounts of acrylamide due to processing.
Olives are a savory and delicious addition to meals or appetizers.
They’re low in carbs but high in healthy fats. They’re also linked to several health benefits, including improved heart health.
This stone fruit is very easy to incorporate into your routine and makes a great addition to a healthy, whole-foods-based diet.
Last medically reviewed on July 22, 2022
How we reviewed this article:
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
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