Olives and olive oil from Spain have been valued for their medicinal benefits for thousands of years. In fact, olive oil was once referred to as the ‘juice of the gods’.

Olives are completely natural, high in anti-oxidants and vitamins. The oil inside olives is mostly made up of unsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid which helps to reduce cholesterol and prevent cardiovascular diseases.¹

Olives are a source of Vitamin E, which helps to prevent arteriosclerosis and reduce blood pressure. Olives are also a source of fibre; making them easy to digest, and they also contain a host of essential minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus and iodine.

However, different olives contain different nutritional qualities. Black olives contain more iron but less salt and fewer calories than green olives. Manzanilla olives contain more vitamin E, while Hojiblanca olives boast more fibre.

Health Benefits of Olive Oil

Olive oil is produced from the juice of olives and as it is extracted without the use of chemicals, the oil retains its natural flavour and aroma. Olive oil is comprised of many healthy, active ingredients such as monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, polyphenols as well as vitamin K and calcium.

Many studies from the medicinal community suggest that including olive oil in your diet can lower cholesterol, reduce heart disease and may prevent many types of cancer and common diseases. ²

So why is olive oil good for you?

Olive oil is made up of essential fatty acids, which are fats that the body cannot manufacture by itself but which the body requires to maintain good health.

Fatty acids can be saturated (sometimes referred to as bad fats) or unsaturated (sometimes referred to as good fats). Thankfully, most of the fatty acids in olive oil are of the unsaturated variety.

Research suggests that unsaturated fats can help to lower cholesterol levels and are essential for a healthy diet. ^{2 & 3}

Olive oil from Spain contains the highest level of monounsaturated fats in any vegetable oil, making it a healthy choice for your diet. Spanish olive oil contains vitamin E and polyphenols that are known antioxidants with a host of benefits for bodily functions. What's more the vitamin E in Spanish olive oil is fat-soluble, which means it can be stored in the body.

The monounsaturated fats in olive oil are primarily made up of oleic acid.

Research has suggested that oleic acid is thought to contribute to the prevention of colon cancer.²