OLIVE (Olea europaea)

Olive is an annual small tree, the young fruit can be eaten raw or after preserved as a refresher. Old fruit is squeezed and the oil extracted into olive oil that can be used for various purposes. The olive tree has a Latin name Olea europaea which is part of the species of smaller plants Oleaceae family, which grows naturally in Africa, the Mediterranean, Arabian Peninsula, to Asia. Many theories about the origin of the olive tree originated, but one that is fairly well accepted is that they were first grown in Asia Minor, between Europe and Asia are now known as the Turkey and Syria. Evidence suggests that humans in this area using olives more than 8,000 years ago. Olive plants have characteristics such as:

-    Grows as a tree or evergreen shrub has a bell-shaped flowers

-    Short and plump, height rarely exceeds 8-15 m (26-49 ft), except Pisciottana greater variety and higher

-    A single leaf with opposite position without stipule, silvery green, oval-shaped with a length of 4-10 cm (1.6 to 3.9 in) and a width of 1-3 cm (0.39 to 1.18 in)

-    Rods wrinkles and twisted

-    Unisexual flowers and fruit ride; small flowers are white hairy, with a calyx and corolla split in ten, two stamens and bifid stigma, usually grow on wood previous year

-    Small fruit in the form of stone fruit, length of 1-2.5 cm (0.39 to 0.98 in) with the seeds have endosperm. Sized fruit is thinner and smaller in wild plants than in cultivation.

Olives begin to bear fruit at the age of five years and can reach thousands of years old, not even been mentioned in some areas the olive tree was estimated to be 4000 years old.

Olives are harvested when still green until it was purple. Canned black olives may contain chemicals (usually ferrous sulfate) which makes black artificially.

The leaves have a design that can withstand evaporation, besides the olive tree has enough endurance to be able to live with just getting a little water.

Ripe olives have a blackish purple color, mostly used for pickles, whereas the oil used to be picked olives that are still green and purple green with medium maturity. In some countries other than the olives used in dishes and cuisines, and some are still used as fodder.

Olive oil is very useful since time maintaining beauty. Not surprisingly, olive oil is often used cosmetic manufacturers. Olive oil comes from olives plant that grows in the Mediterranean region which gives the intensity of the sun that much. Olive oil is very well known in the world of beauty, culinary and even health. This is because the content of nutrients in the olive oil. In every 100 grams of olive oil are a number of nutritional value: Energy 3701 kJ (885 kcal); Carbohydrates 0 g; Fat 100 g {Saturated (14 g), Not monounsaturated (73 g), Not polyunsaturated (11 g), Omega-3 fats (<1.5 g), Omega-6 fats (3.5 to 21 g)}; Protein 0 g; Vitamin E 14 mg (93% of the recommended daily intake for adults); Vitamin K 62 mg (59% of the recommended daily intake for adults).

Benefits of Olives

1.   Cardiovascular Benefits

When free radicals oxidize cholesterol, damaged blood vessels and fat to accumulate in the arteries, which can lead to heart attack. The antioxidant content of black olives can prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, which can help prevent heart attacks. Olives do contain fat, but fat has is a single unsaturated fats are healthy, that are proven to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and increase the good cholesterol in the body. When a diet low in monounsaturated fats altered to improve the content of monounsaturated fat (without increasing the overall amount of fat), the study participants generally decreased levels of blood cholesterol, LDL and LDL:HDL ratio. All these changes reduce the risk of heart attack.

Potassium content in the olive fruit oil is highly efficacious for lowering high blood pressure, so as to prevent the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Recent research also suggests that the monounsaturated fats found in olives (and olive oil) can help lower blood pressure. Oleic acid found in olive - after being absorbed by the body and released into the cell - can change the pattern of the signal at the cell membrane level (particularly change the flow associated with protein G). Changes in the rate of cell membranes can lower blood pressure.

2.   Lose Weight

Monounsaturated fats are found in olive, while replacing saturated fat, can lead to weight loss. Consumption of olive oil have shown the breakdown of fats in fat cells, overcoming a potbelly, and reduce insulin insensitivity.

People who have consumed high amounts of olive consume fewer calories and rarely overweight. Blood tests showed that these people have higher levels of serotonin, a hormone that makes us feel full.

Extract olive oil aroma can make us feel fuller, reducing calorie intake by almost 200 calories per day; according to them.

3.   Prevention of Cancer

The content of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are owned by olive believed to ward off the attack of free radicals, which can slow the growth of cancer cells in the body.

Black olives is a source of vitamin E which is very good, which has the ability to neutralize free radicals in the body fat. Especially when working with stable monounsaturated fats found in olive, vitamin E can make the process more secure cell. When processes such as mitochondrial energy production is not well protected, the resulting free radicals can cause oxidation, damage the mitochondria of cells, and prevents the cells to produce sufficient energy to meet its needs. If the DNA of a cell is damaged, then the DNA can be mutated and become cancerous. Research shows that a diet supplement by consuming olive oil can reduce the risk of colon cancer, together with the benefits gained if you consume fish oil. The research also found that consuming olive oil can reduce the risk of the occurrence of colorectal cancer. In addition, for women who love the use of olive oil, could be expected to give a reduction in consumption on the risk of breast cancer.

4.   Reduce Pain

In olive oil filled antikosidan types of polyphenols, which help protect cells from damage threat. These polyphenolic compounds that contain anti-inflammatory properties. Scientists have a lot of research on the effects of polyphenols, which includes both the bone and digestive health. In another study suggests that olive oil has the potential to increase brain function (cognitive) and memory.

Spanish-style green olives, Kalamata olives style, and presenting a wide variety of olive gives us a variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients that can serve as a natural ibuprofen. Olive oil contains oleocanthal, anti-inflammatory fluid. Just as NSAIDs, olive oil is a substance that inhibits the growth of cyclooxygenase (COX). 50 grams (about 3-½ tablespoons) of olive oil per day containing oleocanthal with anti-inflammatory effect similar to 1/10 dose of ibuprofen for adults.

5.   Healthy Skin and Hair

Black olives are rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that moisturize, hydrate and protect. Its most important ingredient is vitamin E. Both are applied directly to the skin or through foods, vitamin E is proven to protect skin from ultraviolet radiation, and protects the skin from skin cancer and premature aging. You can have a healthy and bright skin by washing your face using warm water with a few drops of olive oil into the fragile places, and let it sit for 15 minutes before washing. Be careful to apply olive oil on sensitive areas such as the area around the eyes.

Olive oil can soften the skin of the face and body, with olive oil used as a mask or scrub before showering, doing routine maintenance at least 2 times a week.

For those of you who experience foot skin cracked, olive oil is the right solution for you. This is because the fruit of the olive oil can help in moisturizing dry skin, so the skin of the foot will look moist and smooth.

Olive oil can also be useful to moisturize the lips dry skin, so the skin will appear soft lips and avoid chapped lips. The trick is to rub olive oil on a regular basis every day, doing this treatment two times a day.

The content of linoleic acid in olive oil that will help keep moisture on the skin, skin that does not appear wrinkled at an early age.

How to remove stubborn acne blemishes naturally, can also be made of olive oil. Enough heat the olive oil briefly, then apply on the face that are acne blemishes.

Who often experience hair waving, straightening or contact with chemicals can cause hair damage. Olive oil can work to give a defense to the hair, such as hair lotions. The trick: Rub olive oil on the scalp. Give a massage that seep into the scalp. Then close the hair with a towel for 10 minutes. Combine olive oil consumption, with the benefit of the yolk or the benefits of honey as a mask, to prevent hair loss.

Olive oil can also help hair problems that need to be nutrient dense. Benefits of avocado made into natural hair mask, along with olive oil makes a superb dense hair. How to use it is also quite easy, just apply a mask on your hair, then let stand for a while to sink in and then rinsed.

Owned oil content of olives can nourish the hair and scalp. So it is very effective in addressing the problem of hair and scalp health such as dry hair, hair loss, dandruff and scalp hair problems and others. The trick is to rinse black olive oil to the hair and scalp evenly, then let stand for 20 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly with shampoo.

6.   Reduce Allergies

Current research may help explain how the olives help provide the body with anti-inflammatory, especially in situations where there is an allergy. Olive extract has been shown to function as an anti-histamine at the cellular level. By blocking certain histamine receptors (called H1 receptor), a unique component of olive extract helps reduce histamine response in cells. Because histamine is a molecule which can be produced in excess in allergic conditions and a major cause of the inflammatory process, it consumes olives may be able to reverse this effect. It is possible also that the olive has a special role in the anti-allergy diet. Your circulation will improve and you will breathe more easily by consuming olive. Olives can help remind the bloodstream and helps reduce the impact of diseases such as asthma through its anti-inflammatory properties.

7.   Healthy Digestive System

Regular consumption of vitamin E and monounsaturated fat which is owned by the black olives are often associated with a reduction in colon cancer. Both these nutrients help prevent colon cancer by neutralizing free radicals. Protection functions olive oil also has a positive effect on ulcers and gastritis. Olive oil activates the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones are more natural than drugs, thus reducing the risk of gallstone formation. A cup of black olives also contain 17% of the daily intake of fiber, which supports digestive health by helping distribute food through the system at a healthy pace. This keeps the digestive system from working too hard and support the ideal balance of chemicals and microorganisms population needed for a healthy digestive system.

8.   Source of Iron

Olives, especially black ones, rich in iron. The ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen throughout the body caused by the presence of iron in the blood. If we lack of iron, the body's tissues do not receive enough oxygen, and we feel cold or weak. Iron also plays an important role in energy production. Iron is an essential component for a number of enzymes, including catalase iron, peroxide and the enzyme cytochrome. Iron also helps produce carnitine, a non-essential amino acid that is important in the process of fat utilization. In conclusion, the immune system depends on the amount of iron available to the body.

9.   Eye Health

One cup of olive contains 10% of the recommended intake of vitamin A each day, which when converted into the form of the retina, it is important for eye health. Olives assist the eye to distinguish light and dark, thus helping vision at night. Vitamin A is also believed effective in treating cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other eye diseases.

10. Increase Glutathione in Blood

Olives proven to increase glutathione in the blood (one of the important antioxidant nutrients in the body). Consuming olive fruit pulp is often associated with elevated levels of glutathione in the blood and an increase in antioxidant capacity.

11. Treating hemorrhoids

Prepare a tablespoon of olive oil (extra virgin), then mix with the powder to taste Seed. Flatten, drink 3 times a day, for one week. The benefits of olive oil to treat hemorrhoids is taken before meals.

12. As Aromatherapy

In addition to the above benefits, a lot of olive oil is also widely used as an aromatherapy oil because it smells distinctive and fragrant. Also used as a massage oil and mask mixture on a variety of beauty products. But beware also use olive oil for side effects.

Side Effects Behind the Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil is the possibility of a safe, either consumed directly (as a cooking ingredient) or when applied to the skin. Olive oil is safely provide 14% of total daily calories, from about 2 tablespoons (28 grams) per day. Olive oil has been used safely as part of a Mediterranean-style diet. But there are some special warning for its use:

-    Pregnancy and lactation. There is no information that can become a reference of how olive product safety for pregnant or lactating mothers. Do not use olive oil in an amount greater than the amount typically found in food.

-    Diabetes. Olive oil can lower blood sugar, so diabetics should check their blood sugar while using olive oil.

-    Surgery. Olive oil can affect blood sugar, so use olive oil can affect blood sugar control during the operation. Stop consuming olive oil 2 weeks prior to surgery.

How to Choose Olive Fruit

The olives had been sold in jars and cans, but now many stores that sell in large quantities using barrels (often called the olive bar). Buying olives in bulk gives you the opportunity to experiment with various types that you might not know in advance and to buy according to your needs.

While whole olives are very common, you may also find olives that have been cut, and the olives are stuffed by pepper, garlic, or almond. If you buy olives in bulk, make sure the store has a good sales and maintain the freshness of the olives they sell. Some sellers use oil that has been genetically modified as Canola be avoided.

Avoid buying canned olives. FDA data shows that the level of acrylamide in canned olives is about 1,925 ppb, the black olives. Based on these data, the level of acrylamide higher in canned packaging may be associated with the handling, storage, process (particularly the preservation method and embezzlement), and heating helps increase levels of acrylamide.

When selecting olives, note the label "hand picked". This description does not give you any information about the process of picking olives. Many olives are picked directly by hand, although it is not mentioned on the packaging. Instead, the olives are picked using machines often labeled "hand-picked."

For olive oil, the best processing is oil that is processed using the method ice hot-pressed without the slightest; 20 to 30 times cooler than olive oil using cold-pressed method.