When it
comes to olive, its oil is perhaps the most important product and use of this
great fruit. From protecting the heart to preventing several types of cancer, olive
oil has a long list of scientifically proven benefits. The super star ingredient
in the Mediterranean diet is a mix of fatty acids, mostly monounsaturated ones
such as oleic acid, which has blood pressure-lowering effect and is associated
with decreased LDL cholesterol commonly known as “bad cholesterol” (click here
to read more about how to lower high cholesterol naturally). But have you wondered
what other benefits do olives have?
Eight years
ago, a team of researchers at the University of Granada discovered that
maslinic acid – a compound present in the skin wax of olive fruits – blocks
serin protease, an enzyme used by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) to
escape an infected cell to spread into other cells in the body. In fact, these
scientists estimated olive-pomace oil can slow down the infection of other
cells by 80%. Another research group at Hospital Carlos III in Madrid is
investigating the use of this compound for AIDS.
 |
Maslinic acid is a triterpene found in the waxy coating of the fruit Orea Europaea L. |
Maslinic
acid also stops colon cancer cells from dividing and promotes their death. It
decreases the inflammatory response related to obesity, cardiovascular disease
and cancer by modulating the activity of the white blood cells known as
macrophages (discover the relation between weight loss and inflammation). Moreover,
it helps a protein called TNF-α in preventing growth of pancreatic cancer. Other effects include anti-diabetic, antioxidant, cardioprotective,
neuroprotective and antiparasitic activities.
Please note
that maslinic acid is present in olives skin and pulp and therefore its
concentration increases as the quality of olive oil decreases, meaning extra virgin
oil is not as rich in maslinic acid as crude olive-pomace oil. The best source
of this compound is the solid residues from olive-oil production. However I strongly
recommend you to include plenty of olive fruit in your diet! Olives go very
well in salads; as snacks served with cheese, ham and bread; in sandwiches; or
as the main ingredient in sauces. Get used to their strong taste and you’ll
enrich your life with their amazing nutrients.
 |
| Click here to get the recipe for a nice olive sauce recipe |
