Latin Name: Olea europaea
Olives are rich in vitamin E, antioxidants and healthy fats. As a result, they have been associated with numerous health benefits, especially reducing the risk of health diseases.
Olive oil is typically produced from the extraction of healthy fats from olives and it is rich in oleic acid, omega-3 and -6 essential fatty acids. Some studies suggest that oleic acid reduces inflammation and due to its high resistance to high heat, olive oil is deemed a healthy choice for cooking.
As for olive leaf extract, it contains an active ingredient called oleuropein that has antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. In the Mediterranean, olive leaf extract has long been used orally and topically to combat painful, inflamed joints, and arthritis.
Numerous research suggest that daily supplementation of olive leaf extract may improve blood pressure and reduce cholesterol levels. In some studies, olive leaf extract has shown to have antibacterial and antifungal effects that support the body's ability to fight against infections.