Best Diets Directory - Am I doing myself good by eating olives?

Am I doing myself good by eating olives?

I remember there was an advert for an olive oil spread and it said that people live longer in the Mediterranean because of their diet. Since then I have always tried to eat lots of olives even though I don't love them but don't mind them and use olive oil and garlic a lot. Am I really doing myself some good by eating lots of olives?

Public Comments

Yes. And you have described all of the reasons why already.
Yes you are...simple as that. Garlic is very good for you especially. It improves circulation and keeps your blood healthy as well as combating the causes of horrible diseases etc. Though combine this with a balanced diet and regular exercise. You'll feel better as well.
olive oil is better than olives because olives contain a lot of salt, but in moderation it is healthy
now i love olives and yes they are good for you. i also use alot of garlic when i cook. garlic cleanes your pores and olives are good for your skin, and trust me, in years to come you will look 10 years younger than you actually are. your complextion on your skin will be great too and your hair will shine with health. so good on you for eating healthy. thumbs up from me!
Olives (Zaytun) have numerous health benefits, including being rich in Vitamins (in particular Vitamin E), minerals, monounsaturated fats, and anti-oxidants. They are full of nutritional value, helping to fight against a number of critical diseases; including cancer, arthritis, osteoprosis, constipation, inflammation and asthma. http://www.geocities.com/mutmainaa/food/olive.html
Well, I'm not sure, but it definitely doesn't hurt! Maybe you could look up the nutrients found in olives and olive oil to see if they're helping you. I've also heard that olives and olive oil are really healthy, so it probably has at least some truth to it.
Olives can be good for you but, because of the way they are prepared, they contain a lot of sodium. You probably aren't doing any harm unless you're eating like 20+ at a time. I love olives too :) here http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=46
Having wondered the same thing, apparenty olives have little or no health benefits but you're not doing yourself any harm. If I have a jar of olives infront of me I'm likely to eat the whole damn thing and feel a bit sick afterwards. According to The Chris Moyles show on Radio1, olives contain 29 calories, but this could be incorrect. General dietry rule of thumb is "eat anything, in moderation"
yes, but mind the salt
The medicinal and cosmetic uses of olive products are truly astounding. The oil is extremely nutritious and is recommended by dieticians to “improve the balance of fats within the blood”, as well as in lowering cholesterol levels, not only does it lower that, but also blood pressure too. And if you can prevent those 2, you could live a longer life. Eating Olives are also highly beneficial, they're concentrated in monounsaturated fats and a good source of vitamin E, and antioxidant protection offered by vitamin E, can lower the risk of damage and inflammation. They can also prevent heart disease, for example, when free radicals cause the oxidation of cholesterol, the oxidized cholesterol damages blood vessels and builds up in arteries, and can eventually lead to heart attack or stroke. So, by preventing the oxidation of cholesterol, the nutrients in olives help to prevent heart disease.
A varied diet consisting of all vitamins and minerals is the way to go. Too much of any source of limited origin is not the way to go.
They are every thing you've heard about them but remember the moderation bit,too much of anything is not good.
Yes. I started eating olives with salads drizzled with olive oil, with oily fish. I was inspired to do so after a holiday in Turkey. A Mediterrenean style diet is what is often recommended by health organisations.